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Proudfit,  Alexander,  1770 

1843. 
Practical  Godliness 


PRACTICAL  GODLINESS. 


PRACTICAL  GODLINESS. 


IK 


THIRTEEN  DISCOURSES, 


ON    Tilt: 


DUriES  OF  THE  CLOSET.  AND  FAMILY, 
AND  SANCTUARY. 


BY  ALEXANDER  PROUDFIT,  D.  D. 


Blessed  are  they  that  do  his  commandments,  that 
they  may  have  right  to  the  tree  of  life,  and 
may  enter  in  through  the  gates  into  the  city. 

REV.    XXII.    14. 


SALEM: 

PRINTED     BY     DODD     AND    RUMSEY. 

%  1813. 


TO    THE     liNHABITANTS    OF    THE    FRONTIER   SET- 
TLEMENTS, 

THE  folhiving  discourses,  published 
clue jlij  for  their  iise^  are  now  inscribed  xvith 
the  most  tender,  unfeigned  solicitude  for  their 
everlasting  salvation  by  their  servant  in  the 
labors  of  the  gospeL 

A.  P. 

Salem,  September,   1813. 


Vjr' 


:{[       PREFACE. 


Brethren  ^S^m,Be7ovecI, 

SOME^^i^^r^^S^  since  I  of. 
fered  you  V-series  of  discourses  on  the  *'  ruin 
and  recovery  of  man."  In  them  I  endeavor- 
ed to  exhibit  in  a  plain,  scriptural  manner 
those  miseries  in  which  we  are  involved  by 
,  transgression  in  the  present  life,  and  the  un- 
speakably more  awful  wrath  of  Almighty 
God  which  awaits  the  impenitent  in  the  life  to 
come  :  I  also  attempted  to  illustrate  the 
scheme  of  our  redemption  through  the  suffer- 
ings of  the  Eternal  Son,  and  the  infmitely  im- 
portant result  of  this  scheme  as  it  issues  in  the 
highest  glory  to  God,  and  blessedness  of  his 
redeemed. 

The  design  of  this  volume  is  to  explain  and 
enforce  those  means  by  which  this  salvation 
of  God  is  ordinarily  commenced,  and  carried 
on,  and  completed  in  the  souls  of  his  favored 
children.  The  deliberate,  impartial  trial  of 
your  spiritual  character  is  recommended  in 
the  Jirst  discourse  as  lying  at  the  foundation 
of  all  religion.  Wiihout  union  to  Jesus  the 
Surety,  and  reconciliation  through  liis  righ- 
teousness, your  discharge  of  external  duties 
will  be  utterly  useless  ;  it  must  be  unprofita- 
ble as  an  attempt  to  rear  up  a  superstructure 
without  laying  the  foundation,  or  to  cultivate 
a  branch  while  the  root  remains  rotten,  or  to 


VI  PREFACE. 

purify  the  stream  while  the  fountain  itself  is 
impure.     In  the   second  I  have  attempted  to 
enumerate  the  various  ordinances  of  religion 
as   exemplified  in  the  life  of  Zacharias,   and 
Elizabeth  ;  and  shewn  that  each  ought  consci- 
entiously to  be  observed  in  its  proper  connec- 
tion.     Secret  prayer  is  the  third  duty  illustra- 
ted  and  enforced,  because  it  is  the  immediate 
transaction  of  the  individual  with  the  heart- 
searching  Jehovah,  and  although  this  does  not 
constitute  the    corner-stone,    it  may  certainly 
be  considered  as  lying  near  to  the  foundation 
of  all  religion.     If  a  man  is  not  devout  in  the 
closet,  it  may  with  safety  be  asserted  that  he 
"will  not  be  devout  either  in  his  family,  or  in 
the  church,  or  in  the  world.     The  daily  and 
diligent  perusal  of  the  scriptures  is  the  next 
ordinance  to   which  your  attention  is  called, 
because  it  is  a  tribute  of  respect  due  to  the  • 
great  God  that  since  he  condescended  to  be- 
come an  Author,  his  word  should  be  frequent- 
ly and  affectionately  read.     T\\t fifth  duty  en- 
joined is  the  sanctification  of  the  sabbath. — 
This   which   is  reasonable  in   itself  becomes 
our  exalted   privilege  when  we  realise  the  re- 
turn of  every  sabbath  as  another  pledge  of  that 
everlasting  rest  which  remains  for  the  people 
of  God  :   After  shewing  the  importance  of  fa- 
mily devotion,of  parental  instruction,  and  the 
obligation  of  each  member  to  aim  at  promo- 
ting the  edification  of  the  others,!  have  endea- 
vored to  point  out  the  advantages  of  being  ha- 


PREFACE.  Vll 

bitually  in  "  the  fear  of  Jehovah.*'  The  grace 
of  God  does  not  merely  teach  us  eccasiojialli/ 
to  acty  but  uniformly  to  live  "'  soberly,  and 
righteously,  and  godly  in  this  present  world." 
The  thirteenth,  and  last  discourse  in  this  se- 
ries is  designed  to  animate  you  to  diligence 
in  the  work  of  the  Lord  by  exhibiting  the 
happy  issue  of  a  life  spent  in  his  service  and 
communion.  "  To  those  who  by  patient  con- 
tinuing in  well-doing  seek  for  glory,  and  hon- 
or, and  immortality,  eternal  life,'  through 
the  aboundings  of  free  grace,  shall  be  a- 
warded. 

Brethren,    I  can   assert,   without  the  least 
ostentation,  that  I  have  *'  longed  to  impart  to 
you  this  spiritual  gift  ;"  and  in  return  make 
a  single  request  of  every  reader,  whether  pa- 
rent or  child.     The  request  is  reasonable,  and 
I  entreat,  and   adjure,  and  must  even  demand 
your  compliance  by  all  the  solemnities  of  that 
hour  when  we  shall  sX^wdJace  to  face  at  the 
judgment- seat  of  Almighty  God.     The  re- 
quest which  I  make  is  this,  that  if  any  duty 
recommended  in  these  pages  appears  founded 
on  divine  authority  you  instantly  and  sincere- 
ly perform  it.     **  The  servant  who  knoweth 
his  Lord's  will,  and  doeth  it  not,  shall  be  bea- 
ten with  many  stripes."     Feeble  as  the  exe- 
cution of  this  work  may  appear,  it  has  cost  me 
some  labor  of  body,   and  much  anxiety,  and 
even    anguish    of    spirit,   lest    these    truths 
which  are  intended  for  edification  should  is- 


VIII  PREFACE. 

sue,  through  the  neglect  of  an)^  in  their  great- 
er condemnation.  Often  when  sitting  in  my 
study, or  lying  awake  upon  my  bed,  1  have  pas- 
sed in  imagination  throughy  our  settlements:  I 
have  painted  to  my  mind  some  who  are  aho- 
gether  unconcerned  about  their  future  desti- 
nies ;  others  living  from  day  to  day  without 
prayer,  or  any  improvenAcnt  of  the  scriptures  ; 
others  wasting  the  sabbath  in  fishing,  or  fow^- 
ling,  or  unnecessary  visits  ;  parents  who  la- 
bor arduously  for  the  bodies  of  their  children, 
but  rarely  offer  r.p  a  petition  for  their  souls, 
or  speak  to  tliem  of  Jesus,  who  alone  *'  deli- 
vers from  the  wrath  to  come."  God  is  my 
witness  that  after  such  a  survey  of  your  situ- 
ation, I  have  sought  with  melted  heart,  and 
on  bended  knees  some  truth  which  might  be 
effectual  for  your  conviction  and  salvation  ; 
and  the  thought,  that  ihtse  discourses  should 
be  blessed  for  that  end,  wou.ld  be  as  ''  life 
from  the  dead."  How  much  should  I  consi- 
der my  debt  increased  to  sovereign  mercy 
which  disposed  my  mind  to  this  labor  of  love  ? 
How  would  my  helpers  in  Christ  Jesus,  who 
contribute  to  its  circulation,  rejoice  that  the 
sacrifice  of  a  little  perishable  gain  on  their 
part  should  conduce  to  your  eternal  profit  ? 

'*  O  Lord,  I  know  that  all  instruction  will 
be  unprofitable  without  thy  blessing  ;  it  must 
fall  like  water  on  the  liinty  rock  making  no  im- 
pression ;  or  like  dew  upon  the  barren  moun- 
tain producing  no  fruit.  But  thou  hast  com- 


PREFACE.  IX 

manded  us  to  be  instant  m  season,  and  oat  of 
season  ;  to  watch  for  souls  as  those  who  must 
give  account ;  and  althouj^h  incomparably  the 
most  weak  and  worthless  of  thy  servants,  I 
can  appeal  to  thyself  that  this  work  has  been 
prosecuted  in  some  measure  in  obedience  to 
these  commands,  and  to  the  operations  of  thy 
free  Spirit  it  is  now  committed.  Wilt  thou 
in  thine  abundant  mercy  accept  of  this  offer- 
ing, and  crown  it  from  age  to  age  with  thy  bles- 
sing :  Seal  it  upon  the  hearts  of  many  sinners 
for  their  saving  conversion,  and  of  thy  true 
followers  for  their  greater  enlargement  in  run- 
ning the  way  of  thy  commandments  :  Surely 
the  more  insignificant  or  contemptible  the 
messenger  is,  the  more  illustrious  must  thy 
condescension  appear  both  to  angels  and  men 
in  honoring  him  as  the  instrument  of  advcin- 
cing  the  interests  of  thy  kingdom  :  And,  now, 
to  thee  most  Holy  Father,  with  thy  Dear  Son, 
our  Divine  Redeemer,  and  the  Spirit  who 
gives  everlasting  consolation  and  good  hope 
through  the  riches  of  his  grace,  be  glory  at- 
tributed by  all  the  heirs  of  this  grace  world 
without  end."     Amen. 


CONTENTS. 

SERMON  I. 

The  importance  of  ascertaining  our  Spiritual 
Character — An  Introductory  Discourse. 

2  Cor.  xiii.  S — Examine  yourselves  whether 
ye  be  in  the  faith  ;  prove  your  own  selves, 

SERMON  II. 

An  attention  to  all  the  Ordinances  of  Reli- 
gion requisite  for  constituting  the  Christian 
Character. 

Luke  i.  6. — Aiid  they  were  both  righteous  be- 
fore  God,  walking  in  all  the  commandments 
and  ordinances  of  the  Lord  blameless, 

SERMON  III. 

The  advantages  of  Secret  Prayer. 

Ac  T  s  X.  2. — A  devout  man,  and  one  that  fear- 
ed God  with  all  his  house,  a?id  gave  much 
alms  to  the  people,  and  prayed  to  Godahvays, 

SERMON  IV. 

On  Searching  the  Scriptures. 

Acts  xvii  II  — These  were  more  noble  than 
those  in  Thessulonica,  in  that  they — search- 
ed the  scriptures  dady. 

SERMON  V. 

The  Sanctilicudon  of  the  Sabbath. 
Isaiah  Ivi,  4. — For  thus  saith  the  Lord  un- 
to the  eunuchs  that  keep  my  sabbaths. 


CONTENTS.  XI 

SERMON  VI. 

The  advantages  of  Family  Religion,  with  the 
guilt  and  danger  of  neglecting  it. 

Jeremiah  x.  25. — Pour  out  thy  fury  upon 
the — -families  that  call  not  on  thy  name, 

SERMON  VII. 

Joshua's  resolution   considered,   and  recom- 
mended. 

Joshua  xxiv.  15.- — But  as  for  me  and  my 
house  we  will  serve  the  Lord, 

SERMON  VIII. 
The  Duty  of  Parents  to  their  Children. 

Prov.  xxii.  6. —  Train  up  a  child  in  the  way 
he  should  go, 

SERMON  IX. 

The  duty  of  one  member  of  a  family  to  ano- 
ther. 

Heb.  iii.  13. — Exhort  one  another  daily. 

X. 

The  importance  of  attending  the  Ordinances 
of  the  Sanctuary — An  Address. 

SERMON  XL 

The  manner  of  improving  the  Ordinances  of 
the  Sanctuary. 

Luke  viii.  18, — Take  heed — how  ye  hear. 


XII  CONTENTS. 

SERMON  XII. 

The  advantages  of  being  habitually  in  the  fear 
of  Jehovah. 

pROV.  xxiii.  17. — Be  thou  hi  the  fear  of  the 
Lord  all  the  day  lo?ig, 

SERMON  XIIL 

The  happy  issue  of  a  life  occupied  in  the  ser- 
vice of  God,  and  communion  with  him — 

THE     CONCLUSION. 

2  Peter  i.  10.  11. — JFor  if  ye  do  these  things 
ye  shall  never  fall :  For  so  an  entrance  shall 
be  ministered  unto  you  abundantly  into  the 
everlasting  kingdom  of  our  Lord^  a?id  Sa- 
viour Jesus  Christ, 


SERMON  I. 

2    CORINTHIANS     XIII.    5. 

JBxamine  yourselves    vjIietJier  you  be  in    the 
Jaith  ;  prove  your  own  selves. 

IT  is  my  design  to  deliver,  as  the 
Lord  may  afford  opportunity,  a  series  of  dis- 
courses on  the  duties  of  the  closet,  and  fami- 
ly, and  sanctuary.  These  I  cannot  introduce 
with  a  subject  more  appropriate  than  that  cf 
self-examination.  The  beauty  and  stability 
of  a  superstructure  intimately  depend  on  the 
solidity  of  its  foundation  :  The  verdure,  and 
fruitfulness  of  a  branch  necessarily  depend  on 
the  health,  and  vigor  of  the  tree,  mere  espe- 
cially of  the  root  from  which  it  grows  :  Thus 
if  we  expect  to  remain  ''  stedflist,  and  un- 
moveable  '  in  our  christian  profession  ;  if  wo 
expect  to  attend  the  ordinances,  or  discharge 
the  duties  of  religion  to  the  acceptance  of  God^ 
or  our  own  spiritual  proiit  w^e  must  see  that 
the  principleby  which  we  areactuated  be  pure. 
*'  Without  faith  it  is  impossible  to  please 
God;'  Without  this  grace  we  can  neither 
serve  him  acceptably  here,  nor  be  admitted 
to  the  enjoyment  of  his  kingdom  hereafter. 
Self  examination  ;  an  impartial  trial  of  our 
spiritual  condition  is  a  duty  frequently  enfor- 
ced in  the  oracles  of  God,  and  is  unspeaka- 
bly important  whether  we  consult  our  safety 
or  comfort.  It  is  enjoined  "  that  Q\QYy  man 
prove/'  examine  by  the  unerring  test,    "  hit> 


14  Sermon   \, 

own  work  ;  that  he  give  ail  diiigence  to  nrakc 
his  calling  and  election  sure  :'*  This  same  du- 
ty is  urged  with  peculiar  earnestness  in  the 
verse  which  is  chosen  for  our  present  consi- 
deration. "  Examine  yourselves  whether 
you  be  in  the  faith  ;  prove  your  own  selves;" 
make  a  fair  experiment  of  your  religious  pre- 
tensions, as  the  real  weight  of  metals  is  as- 
certained by  the  scales,  or  their  genuine  qua« 
lity  proved  by  the  f^re.  It  adds  no  incon- 
siderable force  to  this  injunction  to  reflect  on 
the  time  vvhcn  the  Apostle  addressed  it  to 
the  Corinthian  Church.  He  had  labored  in 
person  among  them  nearly  two  years,  and 
seen  his  labors  crowned  with  abundant  aiid 
glorious  success ;  he  had  in  a  former  epistle 
illustrated  at  large  their  duty  and  privilege  ; 
lie  had  expljined  to  them  the  nature  of  that  u- 
niontothe  Son  of  God  which  secures  peace 
in  this  world,  and  salvation  in  the  next ;  he 
had  addressed  them  by  the  honorable  appella- 
tion o^  saints,  saints  by  outu'ard  visible  pro- 
fession, yet  in  this  last  epistle,  and  in  the  ve- 
ry conclusion  of  it  he  presses  them  to  an  ex- 
amination of  their  character.  This  circum- 
stance may  admonish  us  to  entertain  a  holy 
jealousy  of  ourselves  ;  to  try  occasionally  the 
foundation  of  our  hopes,  as  the  man  who 
travels  to  a  distant  country  w^ill  often  enquire 
w^hether  he  has  taken  the  road  which  leads  to 
it,  or  the  m.ariner  in  sailing  to  a  foreign  port 
will  enquire  whether  the  course  which  he 
pursues  will  lead  to  that  port.     These  Corin» 


Bermdn  1.  \^ 

thians  are  exhorted  to  exr.minc  whether  they 
be  in  iht  faith.     By  this  faith  we   are  PxOt  to 
linderstand  an  assent  to  the  truth  oi  revelation, 
or  a  persuasion  of  the  excellence  of  the  chris- 
tion  religion,  because  of  this  fact  the  apostle 
was  already  assured.     *'  Many  of  them,''  the 
sacred  historian  relates.   **  believed  and  were 
baptized;"  they  yielded  to  the  testimony  of 
the  gospel,  and  expressed  their  general  faith 
by  asking  admission  to  the  privileges   of  the 
church  in  the  ordinance   of  baptism.      But 
thousands  who  are  recognized  as  members  of 
the  sanctuary  on  earth,  we  have  reason  to  fear, 
will  never  be  admitted  to  the   worship  of  the 
sanctuary  in  heaven.     Our  claim  to  the  privi- 
leges of  the  church  visible,however  desirable, 
is  no  certain  evidence  of  our  claim  to  the  im.- 
muniiics  and  glories  of  the  church  invisible. 
The  form  of  godliness  is  possessed  by  many 
who  are  destitute  of  its  power  ;  The  lamp  of 
a  profession  may  be  carried  in  the  hand  when 
the  oil  of  saving  grace  has  never  been  commu- 
nicated to  the  heart.     Our  master  has  taught 
lis  to  expec  t  that  '*  many  will  say  to  him  in 
that  day.  Lord,  Lord,  have   we  not  prophe- 
sied in  thy  name  ?  And  in  thy  name  have  cast 
out  devils  ?  And  in  thy  name  done  many  won- 
derful works  ?  To  whom  he  will  profess  I  ne- 
ver knew  you  ;  depart  from  me,  ye  workers 
of  iniquity."     The  faith  mentioned  with  such 
emphasis  by  the  apostle  is  that  principle  which 
actually  embraces  the  Saviour  ;  which  claims 
him  on  th(^  general  grant  of  the  gospel  for  re- 
mission of  sin,    for  sanctification  and  future 


16  Sermon   1. 

glory  ;  which  takes  shelter  beneath  tlie  co- 
vert of  his  atonement  and  righteousness  from 
the  thunders  of  the  broken  law,  and  the  tem- 
pest of  ahnighty  wrath  This  is  that  fiiith  in 
the  possession  of  which  none  ever  perished, 
and  without  which  none  need  expect  salvation. 
There  is  no  condemnation  to  them  v/ho  are 
in  Christ  Jesus,  and  there  is  no  salvation  for 
a  sinner  of  the  human  family  in  any  other* 
These  Corinthians  are  not  admonished  to  ex- 
aUiine  whether  they  had  repented  of  their  past 
imperfections,  or  were  purified  from  their 
former  immoralities,  but  to  enquire  *'  whe- 
ther they  be  in  the  fiiith,"  because  faith  by 
holdino'comn-iunion  with  Jesus  the  evcr-livinc: 
Head  gives  vigor  to  every  other  grace,  just 
as  the  living  tree  imparts  nourishment  to  ail 
the  branches  which  grow  upon  it,  or  as  the 
living  fountain  feeds  the  various  streams  vrhich 
issue  from  it.  *'  Faith  worketh  by  love  ;  it 
purifies  the  heart;  '  it  has  its  "-  fruit  unto  ho- 
liness and  the  end  everlasting  life." 

Brethren,  the  duty  enjoined  by  the  Apostle  is 
infinitely  interesting  to  you  and  me  ;  it  most 
intimately  concerns  the  peace  of  our  consci- 
ences now,  and  the  safety  of  our  souls  forever. 
May  the  Holy  Ghost  shed  light  upon  the  un- 
derstanding both  of  speaker  and  hearer  while 
I  attempt  to  shew — 

I.  How  we  may  ascertain  whether  wc  be 
in  the  faith ^  and 

H.  Why  we  ought  immediately  and  ear- 
nestly to  examine  ourselves  in  this  matter. 


iS'ennon   1.  ^ 

T.  The  reality  of  our  faith  may  be  known 
by  its  internal  actings  and  exercises.  It  is 
defined  in  scripture  a  looking  unto  JesusChrist, 
receiving  him  ;  resting  upon  him  ;  count irg 
ail  things  but  loss  for  the  excellency  of  the 
knowledge  of  Christ  Jesus  the  Lord  ;  turning 
to  him  as  a  strong  hold,  ^w6.  fleeing  for  refuge 
to  him  as  the  hope  set  before  us  in  the  gospel  ; 
coming  to  him  for  rest ;  depending  upon  him 
for  righteousness  and  strength^  and  rejoicing 
in  him  as  our  Beloved  ;  particularly  improving 
liim  as  our  Shepherd,  our  Father^  our  High 
Tower,  our  Deliverer  and  Shield.  Now,  by 
a  patient  and  im.partial  examination  of  our 
own  hearts  we  may  ascertain  whether  these 
exercises  have  been  experienced  there.  We 
know  that  we  possess  a  rational  faculty  by  tlie 
operations  of  this  faculty  ;  by  our  fears  and 
hopes,  our  joys,  our  aftections,  our  aversions, 
our  recollection  of  what  is  past,  and  our  anti- 
cipation of  what  is  to  come  ;  and  we  may 
know  that  we  possess  the  principle  of  grace 
by  the  operations  of  that  principle,  by  our  ha- 
tred of  sin,  by  our  desires  after  holiness,  by 
our  love  to  Gotl,  by  our  cordial  delight  in  his 
communion,  by  our  unfeigned  respect  for  his 
commandments,  and  ordinances.  Retiring 
for  a  season  from  tlie  company,  and  cares  of 
the  world  let  us  propose  to  ourselves  the  fol- 
lowing solemn  enquiries.  "  Have  there  been 
particular  moments  when  we  beheld  our  mi- 
serable, and  truly  awful  condition  by  nature  ; 
tliat  as  transgressors  of  the  law  of  God  v^hich 
3  2 


15  Sermon  I. 

IS  holy  and  jz/5^,  we  are  under  the  curse,  heirs 
of  wrath,  pkmged  in  infinite    arrears  to   his 
justice  without  the  least  ability  to  cancel  this 
debt  either  in  whole,  or   in  part ;  from   this 
discovery  of  our  own   exceeding  sinfulness, 
and  the  purity  and  majesty  of  that  law  which 
we  had  violated  were  we  driven  utterly  to  des- 
pair of  relief  by  any  penances,  or  performan- 
ces of  our  own  ;  did   we  afterwards  discover 
a  remedy  for  our  diseases,  a   redemption  for 
our  offences   in    the    obedience  and  blood  of 
Jesus  Christ  ''  the  Lamb  of  God  who  taketh. 
away  the  sins  of  the  world  ;"  did  we   obtain 
some  affecting  apprehensions  of  him  as  suffer- 
ing for  us,  the  just  for  the  unjust  that  he  might 
bring  us  to  God,  as  set  forth  by  the  Father  to 
be  ^'  a  propitiation  through  faith  in  his  blood 
to  declare  his  righteousness  for  the  remission 
of  sin  ;''  have  w^e  discerned  this  righteousness 
of  Jesus  the  everlasting  Surety  to  be  infinitely 
meritorious  in  its  nature,  fully  answerable  to 
all  the  demands  of  justice,  and  acceptable  to 
God  the  Father  ;  have  we  discovered  this  re- 
demption to  be  free  for  the  chief  of  sinners, 
and  consequently  free  for  us  ;  and  renouncing- 
iiU  other  refuges  have  we  solemnly  rested  our 
souls  on  this  Mediator  for  pardon,  and  peace, 
adoring  his  condescension  that  he  should  pi- 
ty our  perishing  world,  and  give  his  life  a  ran- 
som for  our  sins  ?  Is  it  the  deliberate  and  full 
consent  of  our  hearts,  nay,  our  most   ardent 
desire  to   be   redeemed,  and  sanctified,    and 
saved,  and  thus  stand  forth  both  in  time  and 


Sermon  1.  19 

eternity    monuments    *'  to  the  praise    of  the 
riches  of  the  glory  of  his  grace  ?  *     Amidit 
the  nuRieroiis     failures  with  which    we  are 
chargeable ;  the   omission  or   the    imperfect 
discharge  of  duty  have  we   constant  recourse 
to  the  blood  of  his  cros::^  for  new  pardon  before 
God,   and  new  peace  to  our  own  consciences  ? 
"  In  the  Lord  shall  all  the  seed  of  Israel  be  jus- 
tified and    shall    glory.     I   count  all   things 
but  loss,  that  I  may  win  Christ,  and  be  found 
in  him,  not  having   mine  own  righteousness 
which  is  of  the  law,  but  that  which  is  through 
the  faith  of  Christ,  the   righteousness  which 
is  of  God  by  faith."     Amidst  the  various  e- 
vils  and  perplexities  of  life  have  we  recourse 
to  Jesus  Christ  for  rest,  and  support,  and  con- 
solation ?  '*  The  Lord  is  my  portion  saith  my 
soul,*'  one  inspired  writer  asserts,  *'  therefore 
will  I  trust  in  him  :  Though  my  flesh  and  my 
heart  fail  he  is  the  strength  of  my  heart  and 
my  portion  forever."     Amidst  all  the  vicissi- 
tudes of  this  changing  world,  amidst  the  va- 
riety of  our  inward  feelings,  and  outward  cir- 
cumstances is  it  the  source  of  our  glorying  and 
joy  that  our  Redeemer  is  strong  and  without 
change  ;  that  his  love,  and  promises  and  pur- 
pose, and  covenant  are  the  "  same  yesterday, 
and  to-day,  and  forever  ?  ' 

The  reality  of  faith  may  thus  be  known 
with  a  great  degree  of  certainty  by  its  inward 
exercises  and  operations.  All  christians  do 
not  correspond  precisely  in  the  circumstances 
attending  thcr  conversion,  or  their^  experien- 


20  Strmon   1. 

ces  nftei  wards.  Some  ere  brought  to  a  know- 
ledge of  the  Saviour  in  early  life,  others  are 
permitted  to  continue  to  a  more  advanced  pe- 
riod before  thej'  are  called  by  divine  grace  r 
Some  undergo  a  severe  conflict  with  their  own 
consciences  and  the  terrors  of  the  broken  law  ; 
they  are  tossed  long  on  the  tempestuous  o- 
cean,  without  a  cheering  view  of  either  sun, 
or  stars,  and  in  their  own  apprehensions  m.ust 
finally  perish,  while  others  by  a  gentle  gale 
of  the  spirit  are  wafted  at  once  into  the  haven 
of '*joy  and  peace  in  believing:"  Some  ex- 
perience a  more  abundant  measure  of  spiritu- 
al li£?ht,  and  streniith,  andhoi:e;like  Abraham^ 
Stagger  not  at  the  promise  of  God  through 
unbelief,  while  *'  otliers  w^alk  in  darkness,, 
and  through  fear  of  death  are  all  their  life  time 
subject  to  bondage."  But  whatever  be  the- 
diversity  of  their  exercises  previous  to  their 
saving  conversion,  and  whatever  the  diversi- 
ty of  their  attainments  in  joy,  and  peace,  and 
heavenly  hope  in  future  life  aM  christians  will 
correspond  in  rejoicing  in  Christ  Jesus,  and 
renouncing  all  confidence  in  the  flesh,  thty 
most  cordially  embrace  him  as  the  Father's 
gift,  and  exult  in  him  as  ail  their  salvation,, 
and  hope.  Each  according  to  th.e  measure 
of  grace  communicated  \\ill  be  disposed  to 
appropriate  the  elevated  language  of  the  pro- 
phet, "  behold,  God  is  my  salvation  ;  I  will 
trust,  and  not  be  afraid  for  the  Lord  Jehovah 
Is  my  strength,  and  my  song  \  he  also  is  be* 
come  mv  salvation." 


Sermon  1.  21 

2.  Faith  miiy  be  known  by  its  fruit,  or  ef- 
fects both  on  the  heart,  and  the  life.  This 
principle  does  not  consist  in  a  cold  speculative 
assent  to  any  system  of  doctrine,  or  in  a  bar- 
ren unproductive  belief  of  th  it  revelation  which 
the  scriptures  afford  of  Jesus  Christ,  and  his 
salvation  :  It  is  a  living,  operative  principle, 
and  necessarily  maniicsts  its  existence  by  its 
effects,  as  the  life  of  a  tree  is  known  by  its 
foliage,  and  f^^uit,  or  the  sun  is  known  by  the 
light  which  beams  from  it. 

Peace  of  conscience  through  a  persuasion 
of  the  remission  of  sin,  and  reconciliation  to 
God  is  frequently  represented  as  one  fruit,  or 
effect  of  this  fliith.  The  Apostle  therefore 
pleads  in  behalf  of  the  Romans  that  **  the  God 
of  hope  would  fill  them  with  all  joy,  and  peace 
in  believing,  that  they  might  abound  in  hope 
through  the  power  of  the  Holy  Ghost :"  And 
lie  mentions  again  that  '^  being  justified  by- 
faith  we  have  peace  w^ith  God  through  our 
Lord  Jesus  Christ."  Faith  secures  peace  to 
the  awakened,  accusing  conscience  by  apply- 
ing that  blood  of  atonement  through  which 
the  law  is  magnified,  and  the  Father  is  well 
pleased.  The  believer  in  the  exercise  of  this 
principle  appropriates  all  that  Jesus  underwent 
for  the  redemption  of  sinners  as  undergone 
for  himself,  in  his  own  room,  and  for  his  own 
salvation,  and  then  considers  that  ''  the  work 
of  righteousness  shall  be  peace,  and  the  ef- 
fect of  his  righteousness  shall  be  quietness 
and  assurance  forever:"   He  beholds  the  Fa- 


^f  Sermon  1. 

ther  as  fully  pacified  tlirciigli  the  cross  of  Iiis 
Son,  as  there  assuming  the  endearing  charac- 
ters of  the  "  God  of  peace,  of  patience,  avid  of 
liope,"  as  not  merely  pacified,  but  *'  able  to 
do  for  him  exceeding,  abundantly  above  all 
that  vve  can  ask,  or  think,''  and  therefore  re- 
joices in  him  as  an  infinitely  enriching,  unfa- 
ding portion.- 

J^ove  is  another  effect  riecessarity  produced 
by  the  instrumentality  of  this  grace  residing 
in  the  heart.     *'  For  in  Christ  Jesus  neither 
eircumcisionavaileth  any  thing,nor  uncircum- 
eision  but  faith  which  worketh  by  love.'  'This 
divine  principle  while  it  contemplates  the  love 
of  God  to  us,  his   rich   unmerited,  amazing 
grace  in  providing  a  Saviour,  in  forgiving  in- 
numerable   ofiences  through  the  merit  of  his 
sacrifice,  mortifying  innumerable  corruptions 
through  the  efficacy  of  his  spirit,  and  thus  fit- 
ting us  for,  and  giving  us  a  title  to  an  *'  ex- 
ceeding, eternal  weight  of  glory,"  faith  con- 
templating these  things  produces  love  to  God, 
both  unfeigned,   and  ardent  :    The  christian 
transported  in  the  contemplation  of  the  won- 
drous theme  is  constrained  to  cry  out,    *'  be- 
hold I    what  manner  of  love  hath  the   Father 
bestovv'ed  upon  us  that  we  should  be  called  the 
Sons  of  God  ?"     What  shall  I  render  to  the 
Lord    for  graCe  thus  astonishing,  and  distin- 
guishing ?    What  tribute  of  gratitude  shall  I 
offer  to  the  Father,  \^  ho  spared  not  his  Son, 
or  to  the  Son  who  spared  noi  himself,  butsub- 
rnittcd  to  be  wounded  for  my  transgressions,' 


Sermon  1.  2^ 

©rto  tlie  spirit  of  adoption  who  has  enabled 
me  to  believe  in  Jesus,  and  through  him  to 
''  rejoiee  in  hope  of  the  glory  of  God  ?"  In 
proportion  therefore  2ib  faith  is  strong  love  will 
be  ardent  in  the  heaven-born  soul:  Each  re- 
collection which  the  christian  has  of  his  for- 
mer character  and  condition  as  a  child  of 
wrath  ;  each  contemplation  of  what  he  is  ren- 
dered by  grace,  and  each  anticipation  of  that 
crown  which  he  expects  shortly  to  receive, 
and  those  joys  which  he  will  participate  kin- 
dles afresh  this  sacred  flame,  and  makes  him 
long  for  the  full  fruition  of  his  Saviour  and 
God. 

Faith  is  represented  also  as  **  purifying  the 
heart :  '  It  centers  immediately  upon  the  ever- 
living,  immaculate  Jesus  as  its  object ;  it  im- 
itates the  examnle,  and  derives  all  influence 
from  Him  who  was  emphatically  "  the  Holy 
One  of  God,''  and  consequently  as  the  branch 
resembles  in  quality  the  tree  upon  which  it 
grows  the  soul  which  is  joined  to  the  Lord 
the  Saviour  will  necessarily  become  assimila- 
ted to  him  :  it  will  aspire  after  holiness  as  he 
is  holy.  The  principle  of  faith  when  produ- 
ced in  the  heart  commences  a  warfare  with 
surrounding  corruption,  and  never  ceases 
from  the  conflict,  until  it  is  crowned  with  vic- 
tory in  the  end.  The  believer's  heart  which, 
^vhile  unconverted,  wa^  the  haunt  of  impuri- 
ty where  "  the  devil,  and  the  \vorld,  and  the 
iiesh  possessed  the  undivided  dominion,  is 
now  converted  into  a  theatre  of  war.     While 


24  Sermon  1. 

the  child  of  adoption  therefore  complains  **  the 
flesh  hisU  ih  against  the  spirit,"  he  can  also 
add,  ^'  the  spirit,'  the  gracious  principle  sup- 
ported and  cherished  by  constant  communi- 
cations from  Jesus  Jehovah,  *'  lusteth  against 
the  fiesh,"  carries  on  its  warfare  against  eve- 
ry remaining  corruption,  '*  and  these  two  are 
contrary  the  one  to  the  other  ;"  they  are  es- 
sentially opposite  in  their  origin,  in  their  na- 
ture, and  the  hostility  is  never  suspended  un- 
til grace  triumphs  over  all  opposition,  and  the 
believer  stands  *'  faultless  before  the  throne 
\vith  exceeding  joy."  Such  is  the  effect  of 
saving  faith  when  produced  in  the  heart  ;  it 
aims  at  regulating  every  thought,  and  expres- 
sion, and  action  according  to  the  glorious 
gospel ;  it  inftuences  the  individual  to  live  so- 
berly, and  righteously,  and  godly  in  this  pre- 
sent world.  The  christian  reflects  that  it  is 
his  Father's  will,  the  divine  pleasure,  and  pur- 
pose even  his  sanctifi cation,  and  therefore  he 
ardently  aspires  after  holiness  as  his  duty,  and 
glory,  and  privilege.  It  is  to  him  the  sou  ice 
of  deep  humiliation,  and  sorrow  that  he  can- 
not be  more  spiritual  in  his  desires,  more  cir- 
cumspect in  his  deportment,  more  exampla- 
ry,  and  edifying  in  his  conversation,  and  it  is 
his  joy,  his  triumph  that  the  seed  of  grace 
already  implanted  is  imperishable,  and  in  due 
time  will  infallibly  ripen  into  a  harvest  of 
glory. 

Faith  which  purifieth  the  heart  is  also  re- 
presented as  '*  overcoming  the  world."    The 


Semon  1.  25 

believer  elevated  on  the  wings  of  a  lively 
faith,  and  hope  soars  above  the  v/orld  with  its 
empty  honors,  and  joys,  and  realises  the  in- 
visible, yetsublimcj  substantial  glories  of  the 
heavenly  state,  contrasted  with  which  every 
thing  created  sinks  into  insignifieance^  as  the 
stars  disappeai  when  the  sun  sheds  his  radi- 
ance in  the  east.  Through  the  influence  of 
this  purifying,  elevating  principle  we  hear 
Paul  declaring,  *'  vrhat  things  were  gain  to 
me,'  those  which  constituted  the  source  of 
my  rejoicing,  and  were  the  theme  of  my  chief- 
est  glorying  in  the  former  days  of  my  vanity, 
<'  these  I  counted  loss  for  Christ :  God  for- 
bid that  I  should  glory  save  in  the  cross  of  our 
Lord  Jesus  Christ,  by  which  the  world  is  cru- 
cified unto  me,  and  I  unto  the  world.'  And 
by  thepower  of  the  same  f.\ith,  **  Moses  v/hen 
he  was  come  to  years  refused  to  be  called  the 
son  of  Pharaoh's  daughter ;  choosing  rather 
to  suffer  affliction  vrlth  the  people  of  God  than 
to  enjoy  the  pleasures  of  sin  for  a  season,  for 
he  had  respect  to  the  recornpence  of  reward.'* 
The  magnificence  of  the  Egyptian  court,  and 
the  splendor  of  its  crown  appeared  uninterest- 
ing, nay  contemptible  when  brought  into 
competition  with  those  unmingled  pleasures, 
and  unfading  glories  which  are  reser\'ed  for 
the  faithful  followers  of  the  Lamb.  The  chris- 
tian is  industrious  in  the  duties  of  his  calling, 
he  is  careful  of  that  wealth  which  a  bounteous 
God  has  bestowed  upon  him  ;  he  enjoys  in 
temperate  measure  the  pleasures  of  this  world ; 
c 


25  Ser^riOn    1, 

he  values  the  esteem,  and  ccnfideiiCe  of  his 
ililow-creatures,  but  all  these  pr  hi  leges  he 
considers  as  transient  in  their  nature,  as  not 
\vorthy  to  be  compared  cither  in  vahje,  cr  du- 
ration with  the  friendship  of  God,  or  the  ini- 
iiiunitles  of  his  everListing  kingdom. 

Such  are  the  effects  of  a  saving  faith  gene- 
rated  in  the  human  \icnrt,  peace  of  conscience 
through  the  sprinkling  of  the  blood  of  recon- 
ciliation, jo7/  m  Jehovah  as  his  eternal,  satis- 
fying portion,  love  to  Kim  as  a  being  incom- 
parably glorious,  and  good,  purity  of  heart, 
^.Vi^victory  over  this  present  evil  world,  and 
by  an  imipartial,  deliberate  self-examination 
wc  mr.y  ascertain  whether  vre  have  felt  these 
effects.  1  may  know  Vvhether  I  rely  en  the 
general,  uncovenanted  mercy  of  an  absolute 
God,  or  whether  I  n:editate  upon  him,  draw 
TiCar  to  hhn,  transact  v/ith  him,  cast  all  n^y 
cares  upon  him,  and  expect  every  blessing 
from  him  only  as  he  is  reconciled  in  Jesus 
the  Mediator  :  I  may  know  vvhether  I  place 
^vi)'  confidence  on  my  own  performances,  n.y 
prayers,  niy  tears,  my  fastings,  my  charities 
to  the  poor,  my  benevolence  to  all,  or  \^  he- 
ther  renouncing  these  deeds  in  point  of  merit 
I  desire  *'  to  be  justified  freely  by  gracc^ 
through  the  redemption  that  is  in  Jesus 
Christ:"  I  may  know  whether  I  supremely 
follow  after  holiness,  endeavoring  to  reduce 
rot  merely  m.y  actions  v^hich  are  obvious  to 
the  view  of  men,  but  even  my  secret  thoughts 
in  subjection  to  the   glorious    gospel ;  v.he- 


Sermon  1.  27 

ttier  I  am  ardently  aspiring  aflcr  higher  de- 
grees of  sunctificatioa  as  agreeable  to  the  will 
of  God,  and  conducing  to  the  glory  and  hap- 
piness  of  my  natlire  :  I  inay  know  whetlier 
I  truly,  and  fervently  love  the  Lord  God, 
whether  i  take  pleasure  in  meditating  upon 
him  as  my  friend,  and  Father,  in  reading  of 
him  in  the' promises,  in  praying  to  him  in  the 
closet,  imploring  the  forgiveness  of  all  my 
offences,  and  the  supply  of  my  numerous 
wants,  or  whether  he  is  rarely  in  my  thoughts  : 
I  may  know  who  among  men  are  the  com- 
panions of  my  choice,  those  who  fear  God, 
who  work  righteousness,  who  are  lowly  in 
their  carriage,  and  chaste  in  every  part  of 
their  conversation  :  wdiether  *'  out  of  love  to 
him  who  begat  I  love  those  who  are  begotten 
of  him,'  and  choose  rather  to  mingle  in  the 
society  of  such  than  with  the  children  of  this 
world  however  spleuded  their  rank,  or  afflu- 
ent their  fortune.  **  If  any  man  be  in  Christ,'' 
made  alive  to  God  by  his  resurrection  from 
the  dead,  '*  he  is  a  new  creature  ;"  he  is  go- 
verned by  new  motives  ;  he  experiences  new 
joys,  new  fears,  new  aversions,  new  affec- 
tions :  **  It  is  so  great  a  change  that  it  cannot 
pass  upon  a  man  unknown  to  him.  He  may 
not  know,  indeed,  the  hour,  the  day,  or  per- 
haps the  month  of  this  translation,  but  the 
translation  itself  he  must  know,  or  he  hath 
found  none.  He  once  was  darkness,  but  now 
he  is  light  in  the  Lord,  and  can  a  man  emerge 
fro:n  darkness  into  light  widiout  perceiving 


23  Scrr.:Gn   I. 

the  change  ?  Can  any  creature  pass  from  dcaili 
unto  life  without  a  perception  of  the  change  ?"* 
Impossible." 

Is  the    certainty  of  our  spiritual  condition 
really  attainable,   it  becomes  us  to  enquire, 

11.   Why  we   should  ^ive  dilurence,  all  dl- 
licence  to  attain  to  this  assurance  ? 

1.  A  concern  for  our  own  safety  should 
excite  to  all  possible  earnestness  in  making 
cur  calling  and  election  sure.  In  pursuing  the 
enquiry  whether  we  are  in  the  faith,  we  arc 
really  enquiring  whether  we  are  in  a  state  of 
reconciliation,  or  of  wrath  ;  w^hether  we  are 
the  vassals  of  the  Prince  of  darkness,  bound 
fast  in  his  iron  chains,  and  led  captive  by  hinx 
at  his  pleasure,  or  whether  we  are  the  freemen 
of  Jesus,  and  interested  in  the  glorious  liber- 
ty of  his  sons  ;  whether  \yq  have  entered 
"  the  strait  gate,"  and  are  pressing  on  in 
*'thenarrow%  unfrequented  way  which  leads- 
to  life,''  or  whether  we  travel  the  broad  way 
which  conducts  to  never  ending  perdition. 
Thus  interesting  is  that  question,  "  am  I  in 
the  faith."  For  the  truth  of  Jehovah  hath  as- 
serted, "  he  that  belie veth  on  the  Son  hath 
everlasting  life,  and  he  that  believeth  not  the 
Son  shall  not  see  life,  but  the  wrath  of  God 
abideth  on  him.'*  And  is  it  possible  to  con- 
ceive an  interrogatory  more  important  than 
one  which  involves  the  welf\u'e  of  our  souls 
for  eternity  ?  The  failure  of  a  stone  in  any 
part  of  the  building  may  deface  the   beauty^ 

*    HOR.    SOLITARI,   Vol.    2,    234. 


Sermon  I,  29 

or  enfeeble  the  strength  of  a  particular  part  of 
the  building,  but  if  the  foundation  is  defec- 
tive the  whole  superstructure  must  totter,  and 
fall.     A  disorder  upon  a  remote  member  of 
the  human  body,  upon  the  finger  or  foot,  may 
effect  our  comfort  and  impair  ourstrength,  but 
the  disease  which   seizes  upon  the  vitiils  af- 
fects not  a  single  part  merel}^,  but  the  whole 
system,  and  unless  speedily   removed  must 
prove  fatal  in  its  consequences.     Thus  an  er- 
ror in  principle,  an  irregularity  in  practice  may 
injure  our  character,  our  comfort,  our  useful- 
ness,  our  influence,    but  a  mistake  as  to  the 
reality  of  our  faith  in  the  Son  of  God,  and  our 
interest  in  his  covenant  righteousness  is  fatal ; 
it  strikes  upon  the  very  vitals  of  all  our  hopes, 
and  leaves  without  a  remedy   for  ever.     He 
V.  ho  does  not  improve  the  sacrifice  of  Jesus 
of  Nazareth,  of  him  who  suffered  without  the 
gates  of  Jerusalem  as  a  propitiation  for  human 
guilt,   neither  does,  nor  ever  shall  enjoy  the 
ofler  of  any  other  sacrifice  :   '*  But  there  re- 
mains a  certain  fearful  looking  for  of  judg- 
ment,  and  fiery   indignation  which  shall  de- 
vour the  adversary  :''  He  who  is  not  careful 
to  put  on  by  faith  that  "  garment  of  salvation, 
that  robe  of  righteousness  which  he  prepared, 
is  left  without  covering,  and  must  stand  forth 
naked,  a  spectacle  of  derision,    and  scorn  to 
God,  and  angels,  and  men.     Surely  then  this 
examination  to  w^hich  we  are   lU'ged   by   the 
Apostle  is  the  most  interesting  which  can  oc- 
cupy the  attention  either  of  male  or  female  ; 
c2 


30  Sermon  1. 

It  does  not  merely  concern  our  health,  our 
property  or  reputation  in  the  present  life,  but 
involves  all  that  is  dear  throughout  the  ages  of 
eternity.  Brethren,  hear  the  declaration  of 
the  ^'  Amen,  the  faithful  and  true  Witness,'' 
of  him  the  decision  of  Vi  hose  mouth  will  here- 
after fix  oureverlasting  destiny,  ''  Verily,  ve- 
rily, I  say  unto  you,  except  ye  eat  the  flesh 
of  the  Son  of  Man,  and  drink  his  blood  ye 
have  no  life  in  you.  Whoso  eateth  my  flesh, 
and  drinketh  my  blood  haih  eternal  life,  and 
I  Vv'ill  raise  him  up  at  the  last  day." 

2.  A  concern  not  only  for  cur  safety,  but 
for  our  comfort  should  excite  us  to  earnest- 
ness in  the  duty  of  self-examination.  If  we 
occupy  a  particular  house,  or  farm,  the  enjoy- 
ment is  greatly  enhanced  from  an  assurance 
that  our  title  is  inviolable,  and  that  neither 
intrigue  nor  violence  can  deprive  us  of  the 
possession.  He  who  is  travelling  to  a  distant 
regionfeels  muchmorecomposure  in  his  mind 
and  is  animated  to  greater  diligence  in  the  pro- 
secution of  his  journey  j  he  can  also  bear  with 
more  patience  every  inconvenience  to  which 
he  is  exposed,  when  he  entertains  a  full  assu- 
rance that  the  road  which  he  travels  leads  to 
the  place  of  his  destination  :  The  mariner  in 
performing  a  voyage  sails  along  with  in- 
conceivably greater  satisfaction,  encounters 
with  more  resolution  every  storm  which  beats 
upon  him,  if  confident  in  his  own  mind  that 
he  is  pursuing  the  proper  course,  and  will 
reach  the  desired  harbor  at  last.     But  a   full 


Sermon  1.  31 

assurance  of  an  interest  in  the  covenant,  and 
our  title  to  eternal  lite  is  a  source  of  incon- 
ceivably greater  consolation,  because  the 
object  in  expectation  is  inconceivably  more 
important.  With  what  submission,  and  for- 
titude can  the  christian  carry  alongevery  cross, 
when  assured  that  it  will  soon  be  succeeded 
by  the  crown  ?  With  what  elevated  pleasure 
can  he  read  the  promises,  when  he  is  enabled 
in  the  language  of  confidence  to  say,  *'  these 
promises  which  are  all  yea,  and  amen  in  Jesus 
Christ,  are  unalienably  my  own  ;  they  are 
my  security  in  the  very  hand  writing  of  my 
heavenly  Father  for  all  blessings  both  tempo- 
ral and  eternal."  With  what  transports  of 
joy  can  he  sit  in  the  sanctuary,  and  hear  of 
the  lovely  Saviour,  of  his  glories  as  God,  of 
his  excellence  aud  sufficiency  as  Mediator,  of 
the  plenitude  of  his  salvation  when  he  can 
confidently  hay,  '*  this  Jesus  whomyou  are  now 
describing ;  whom  you  represent  as  fairer  than 
the  children  of  men,  and  heir  of  all  things  is 
my  portion,  my  Beloved,  and  Friend  ;  I  am  a 
joint-heir  with  him  who  is  the  heir  of  all  things 
and  I  am  persuaded  that  neither  height  nor 
depth,  nor  angel,  nor  principality  shall  ever 
separate  me  from  his  love,  and  I  expect  short- 
ly to  taste  more  of  his  grace,  and  behold  more 
of  his  glory  in  the  temple  above  than  language 
can  now  express  or  imagination  conceive." 
With  what  emotions  of  joy  can  the  heir  of 
salvation  either  read,  or  hear  of  the  heavenly 
city,  of  its  golden  streets,  of  its  ivory  palaces, 


32  Scnnon  1. 

of  those  trees  of  righteousness  which  there  ex- 
pand and  flourish  in  unfading  bloom,  and  of 
the  pure  river  of  water  of  hfe  which  proceed 
from  the  throne  of  God  and  the  Lamb,  when 
he  can  contemplate  this  fair  inheritance  as  his 
own  in  reveriiicn,  and  in  the  triumph  of  faith 
is  enabled  to  exclaim,  "  thou  wilt  shew  me 
the  path  of  life  ;  thou  wilt  guide  m^e  with  thy 
counsel,  and  afterward  receive  me  to  glor}'.  ' 
How  patient  has  this  full  assurance  of  hope 
rendered  the  righteous  amidst  the  various  e- 
vils  of  life  ;  haw  cheerful  in  every  act  of  obe- 
dience, how  crucified  to  this  world  with  its 
most  gilded  prospects,  and  how  eager  for  the 
enjoy  nicnt  of  the  purchased  pos5;ession  ?  Have 
v/e  not  often  seen  them  glorying  in  tribulation y 
have  vve  not  heard  them  exulting  in  prisons, 
and  en  scaffolds,  when  their  title  to  the  king- 
dom was  clear  and  tlie  eye  of  faith  was  stca^ 
dily  fixed  on  that  title  ?  One  rapfurously  ex- 
ults, *'  although  my  house  be  not  so  with 
God,  he  hath  made  with  me  an  everlasting 
covenant,  ordered  in  ail  things,  and  sure  ; 
this  is  all  my  salvation,  and  all  my  desire." 
Another  sings  in  strains  equally  elevated,  "  al- 
though  the  fig-tree  shall  not  blossom,  neither 
shall  fruit  be  in  the  vine  :  the  labours  of  the 
olive  shall  fail,  and  the  fields  shall  yield  no 
meat  ;  the  flock  shall  be  cut  ofiTrom  the  fold, 
and  there  shall  be  no  head  in  the  stall  :  yet  I 
will  rejoice  in  the  Lord,  I  will  joy  in  the  God 
of  my  salvation."  It  is  the  triumph  of  a  third 
enlivened  by  the  same  hope  of  immortalit}-, 


Sermon  1.  33 

**  It  is  a  faithful  saying,  for  if  we  be  dead  with 
Jesus  we  shall  also  live  with  him.  If  we  suf- 
fer we  shall  also  reign  with  him  For  our 
light  affliction,  which  is  but  for  a  moment  work- 
eth  for  us  a  far  more  exceeding,  and  eternal 
weight  of  glory. 

3.  A  concern  not  only  for  our  own  comfort 
and  safety,  but  also  a  regard  for  the  honour 
of  religion,  and  for  the  encouragement,  and 
edification  of  others  should  excite  to  a  holy  ear- 
nestness in  self-examination.  When  the  pro- 
fessors of  Christianity  are  always  labouring 
in  doubts  ;  when  they  appear  disheartened, 
and  dejected  under  the  afflictions  of  life,  and 
entertain  no  more  than  a  trembling  hope  of 
salvation  in  the  life  to  come,  spectators  natu- 
rally become,  disaffected  towards  religion  ; 
they  are  tempted  to  imagine  that  it  consists 
merely  in  melancholy  and  gloom  ;  that  it  calls 
its  votaries  to  the  sacrifice  of  many  earthly  en- 
joyments, and  gratifications  without  affording 
as  a  substitute  any  other  consolations  :  En- 
quirers after  the  truth  are  thus  discouraged, 
and  its  open  enemies  are  confirmed  in  their 
prejudices.  But  v/hen  the  professed  disci- 
ples of  Jesus  are  able  "  to  give  a  reason  of 
the  hope  that  is  in  them  with  meekness,  and 
fear;'  when  they  appCvar  unshaken  in  their 
reliance  on  his  merits  for  pardon,  ard  glory  ; 
when  they  can  assert  from  personal,  repeated 
experience  ''  that  his  ways  are  ways  of  plea- 
santness, and  that  all  the  sufferings  of  this  life 
are  not  worthy  to  be  compared  to  the  glory 


34  Sermon   1. 

that  shall  be  revealed,"  how   is  our  holy  re- 
ligion recommended    and  confirmed  :     The 
drooping  pilgrim  in  hearing  the  testimonies 
of  such,    turns  his  face   again  towards  Zion, 
and  goes   on  his  way  rejoicing  :    Enquirers 
after  truth  are  roused  to  greater  eagerness  in 
their  enquiries  :  strangers  are  encouraged  to 
join  themselves  to  the  Lord,  and  the  open  c- 
nemy  of  the  cross  if  not  convicted  of  the  real- 
ity of  religion,  and  constrained  to  embrace  it 
becomes  at  least  ashamed,  and  afraid   openly 
to  oppose  it.     When  two  travellers  go  along 
together,  and  both  are  doubting  whether  they 
have  taken  the  proper  road  for  the  country  in 
view,   instead  of  encouraging,  and  assisting, 
they  will  rather  retard  the  progress  of  each  o^ 
ther  :   If  either  is  fully  assured  that  the  road 
which  they  travel   will   certainly  conduct  to 
the  desired  place  ;  if  he  traces  a  variety  of 
marks  vrhich  have  been  described  by  others 
who  have  gone  to  the  same  place  before  him, 
he  not  only  prosecutes  the  journey  with  reso- 
lution, but  he  can  take  his  fellow-traveller  by 
the  hand,  and  animates  him  to  go  on  amidst 
all  the  obstacles  which  intervenes.      Thus  it 
is  with  the  spiritual  pilgrim  in  his  journey  to 
his  eternal  home.     When  he  possesses  satis- 
flictory   evidences  that  he  is  sanctified  by  di- 
vine grace,  and  led  by  the  spirit  of  God  ;  when 
he  feels  the  same  fears,  and  desires,  and  joys, 
and  hopes  which  were  felt  by  those  who  "now 
inherit  the  promises,"  he  is  capable  not  mere- 
ly of  enduring  the  toil  of  the  journey,  but  of 


sermon   1,  55 

encouraging  others  in  the  paths  of  righteous- 
ness :  With  peculiar  propriety,  and  emphasis, 
he  can  expostuhite  vvith  his  former  compan- 
ions in  sin,  *'  to  taste  and  see  that  the  Lord  is 
good ;  '  he  can  assure  them  from  his  own  cer- 
tain experience  that  '*  happy  is  that  man 
whose  God  is  Jehovah." 

Is  it  not  truly  astonishing  that  men  are  usu- 
-ally   so  indiiferent   about  their   spiritual  and 
everlasting  interests  ?  Although  faith  in  the 
Lord  Jesus  Christ  is  infinitely  important ;   al- 
though  it   involves   our  safety   and  comfort, 
both  in  this  world  and  in  the  next,  yet  how 
few  can  be  persuaded  to  **  examine  whether 
they  are   in  the  faith  ?  '  By  what  arguments 
can  w^e  prevail  with  our  beloved  hearers  "  to 
work  out  their  salvation  with  fear  and  trem- 
bling ?  '  Propose  to  them  any  scheme  which 
will  probably  conduce  to  their  temporal  ease, 
or  interest,  or  honor,  or  happiness,  and  their 
attention  is  instantly  excited  and  engaged,  but 
in  the  all-important  concerns  of  eternity,  no 
considerations,  either  of  misery  or  joj',  either 
of  reproach  or  glory  are  sufficient  to   rouse 
them  to  reflection.     Open  your  door  to  a  tra- 
veller exhausted  with  fatigue   or  want,  and 
how   readily  will  he  turn  in,  but  although  a 
door  of  hope  is  thrown  open  in  the  gospel  for 
sinners  of  the  human  family,  for  the /?oor,  the 
vmcrahle^  the  hlind^  and  the  halt^  how  I'cw  can 
be  persuaded  to  enter  ?  Offer   bread  to  the 
hungry,  or  water  to  the  thirsty,  or  clothing  to 
the  naked,  or  the  healing  medicine  to  one  who 


36  Sermon  1, 

is  pining  away  with  some  malignant  disease, 
cr  propose  to  the  miserable  slave  to  break  off 
his  grilling  chains,  how  eagerly  would  these 
cfiers  be  embraced,  but  may  not  the  ''  bread 
of  life,  the  Vvater  of  life,  the  balm  of  the  co- 
veiiarit,  the  liberty  of  the  Sons  of  God'  be  a 
thoubi'^ind  times  offered  yet  wantonly  rejected  ? 
When  any  office  of  emolument,  or  honor  be- 
comes vacant,  how  many  candidates  appear  ? 
What  various  means  will  they  devise  for  in- 
suring their  success,  and  how  prudently  and 
patiently  will  they  persevere  in  the  use  of 
these  means  ?  If  a  new  region  is  explored 
where  the  soil  is  fertile,  the  climate  healthful, 
and  other  enjoyments  may  be  obtained,  what 
multitudes  flock  to  it  from  all  directions  ? 
And  what  fatigue  will  they  endure,  and  what 
dangers  either  by  land  or  water  will  they  en- 
counter to  reach  it  ?  Yet  although  the  scrip- 
tures hold  out  to  view  **  a  city  which  hath 
foundations  whose  builder  and  worker  is  God, 
an  house  eternal  in  the  heavens,  an  inherit- 
ance incorruptible,  and  undefiled,"  a  coun- 
trv  where  the  inhabitant  shall  not  say,  I  am 
sick  ;  where  there  shall  be  no  more  disease, 
nor  death,  and  although  so  many  profess  to 
believe  that  the  accounts,  which  the  scriptures 
afford  of  the  heavenly  country,  are  true,  yet 
how  few  are  eagerly  enquiring  after  it,  or  duly 
anxious  to  secure  their  interest  in  it  ?  Was  it 
suggested  to  any  who  are  present  that  their 
title  to  a  certain  house,  or  farm  was  defective, 
and  that  with  proper  attention  it  might  be 


Sermon  1.  37 

confirmee!,  what  anxiety  would  they  feel,  and 
what  diligence  would  they  exercise  until  the 
defect  was  corrected  ?  But  I  solemnly  ask 
you  what  means  have  you  employed  for  ma- 
king sure  your  title  to  the  inheritance  of  eter- 
nal glory  ?  You  have  often  heard  that  *^  strait 
is  the  gate,  and  narrow  is  the  way  which 
leadeth  to  life,"  with  what  eagerness  have 
you  been  striving  to  enter  ?  **  O  Lord,  that 
men  did  but  know  what  everlasting  glory, 
and  everlasting  torments  are,  would  they  be- 
have as  they  do  ;  would  they  read  and  hear 
things  as  they  do  ?''  What  meaneth  this  un- 
concern about  those  eternal,  awful  realities 
which  iilone  are  worthy  of  our  concern,  and 
what  meaneth  this  indolence  in  pursuing  them? 
Is  not  the  soul  precious  ?  Is  not  life  precari- 
ous ?  Have  not  many  weeks,  and  months,  and 
years  of  your  accepted  time  already  passed  a- 
way,  and  is  it  to  you  a  dreadfu'  uncertainty 
how  long  the  season  of  mercy  may  be  conti- 
nued to  you  ?  What  shall  I  say  of  the  infatu- 
ation, the  madness  of  men  ?  They  are  fond  of 
pleasure,  and  yet  by  their  wilful  unbelief  run 
the  hazard  of  never  ending  pain  ?  They  are 
careful  of  the  body  ;  they  are  diligent  in  feed- 
ing it,  clothing  it,  in  using  the  means  of  re- 
storing it  to  health  when  diseased,  and  yet 
carelessly  slight  the  nobler  part,  the  immor- 
tal soul  ?  They  are  professedly  attached  to 
life,  and  yet  amidst  admonitions,  and  entrea- 
ties throw  themselves  into  the  arms  of  the  se- 
cond death  ?  ''  Turn  ye,  turn  ye,  why  will 


38  Sermon  1. 

you  die,  O  house  of  Israel  ?''  Sinners,  bv  all 
that  is  dreadful  in  the  miseries  of  the  damned, 
and  by  all  that  is  inviting  in  the  joys  of  the 
redeemed  be  entreated  to  shake  off  your  slum- 
bers. *'  Hear  ye,  and  give  ear  ;  be  not  proud 
for  the  Lord  hath  spoktrn.  Give  glory  to  the 
Lord  your  God,  before  he  cause  darkness, 
and  before  your  feet  stumble  on  the  dark 
mountains,  and  while  ye  look  for  light  he  turn 
it  into  the  shadow  of  death." 

Beloved  brethren,  consult  your  safety,  and 
interest,  and  glory  by  believing  without  de- 
lay in  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ  :  Then  having 
laid  the  foundation  sure  by  union  to  his  Per- 
son, and  a  full  reliance  on  that  redemption 
^vhich  is  in  his  blood  how  cheerfully  may  }cii 
proceed  to  carry  on  the  superstructure  of  ho- 
liness :  You  may  be  &x[\y  discharging  the  du- 
ties of  religion,  and  in  return  receiving  its 
consolations.  You  may  with  all  freedom  en- 
ter the  closet,  and  on  bended  knees,  and  with 
grateful  hearts  be  lisping  forth  the  language 
of  adoption,  "cur  Father  which  art  in  hea- 
ven :  '  You  may  search  the  scrij)tures,  not  as 
the  student  looks  over  the  map  of  a  distant 
country,  but  as  the  heir  examines  his  title  to 
a  large  estate,  as  a  deed  of  conveyance  secu- 
ring to  you  all  grace  in  time,  and  all  glory 
through  eternity  :  you  may  sa^ictify  each  re- 
turning Sabbath  as  a  memorial  of  the  resurrcc. 
lion  of  your  dear  Lord,  and  an  earnest  of  that 
eternal  rest  to  which  you  will  shortly  be  intro- 
duced :  Ycu  may    enter  the   sanctuary,  and 


Samon  2.  59 

sit  down  v/lth  the  congregation  of  the  fliithrul 
as  a  pledge  of  being  admitted  hereafter  to  the 
heavenly  Jerusalem,  and  enjoying  intimate, 
uninterrupted  communion  w'nh  the  redeemed 
of  all  kindreds  and  countries  :  You  may  sub- 
mit to  (ZYcvy  trial  as  the  rod  of  an  indulgent 
Father,  and  receive  every  earthly  comfort  as 
a  foretaste  of  those  *'  everlasting  pleasures 
which  are  at  God's  right  hand  :"  You  may 
exercise  patience  in  the  season  of  darkness, 
anddisquietudein  the  prospect  of  that  morning 
which  shall  be  obscured  by  no  cloud,  nor  suc- 
ceedf^d  by  any  night. 

Beloved  reader,  the  grace  of  our  Lord  Je- 
sus Christ  be  v/ith  thy  spirit.  Amen* 


SERMON  II. 

LUKE    I.    6. 


And  they  were  both  righteous  before  Gody 
walking  in  ail  the  commmKhnents,  and  ordi- 
nances of  the  Lord  blamcUss* 

**  ALL  scripture  is  given  by  inspira- 
tion of  God,  and  is  profitable  for  doctrine,  for 
reproof,  for  correction,  for  instruction  in 
righteousness.'  Each  part  of  the  sacred  vo- 
lume possesses  sf^me  excellence  peculiar  to 
itself,  and  is  calculated  to  alarm  the  secure, 
to  enlighten  the  enquirer  after  truth,  or  to  an- 
imate the  drooping,  disconsolate  pilgrim  iu 
his  course  to  Zion.     \\\  the  precepts  of  the 


40  S:rn:on  2. 

mor«'\l  law  we  hare  an  interesting  dlspTay  of' 
the  purity  of  the  divine  character,  and  gov- 
ernment 'y  by  them  we  are  also  taught  the  na- 
ture and  necessity  of  that  holiness  without 
which  Vv'e  can  neither  please  God  on  earth,, 
nor  enjoy  him  in  heaven  :  In  the  promises  of 
the  gospel  v/e  have  a  lively  exhibition  of  his 
love  in  providing  a  Sa\iour,  and  of  his  good- 
Tiess  in  communicating  to  his  chosen  through 
him  all  the  blessmgs  of  grace  and  glory.  But' 
perhaps  no  part  of  divinr  revelation  is  more 
instructive,  or  animating  than  those  which 
exhibit  the  lives  of  illustrious  saints  either 
jTiaie  or  female.  In  these  we  behold  the  pre- 
cepts and  promises  blended  together,  and  re- 
duced to  actual  life,  and  the  efl'ect  produced 
on  the  mind  as  far  exceeds  that  of  any  specu- 
lation on  moral  virtue,  as  a  view  of  the  man 
himself  is  more  impressive  than  a  glance  at 
his  picture,  or  poi-trait :  In  the  historical  parts 
of  scripture  we  also  discover  the  reality  of  re- 
ligion by  the  change  ^^•hich  it  effects  on  the 
heart,  and  conduct ;  vv'e  admire  its  excellence 
by  the  excellence  of  those  fruits  which  it  pro- 
duces, piety  to  God,  benevolence  to  men,, 
forbearance  amidst  injuries  received,  and  pa- 
tience under  the  complicated  evils  of  life.  In 
reading  the  history  of  the  just  as  presented  in 
the  inspired  page  we  are  constrained  to  be- 
lieve that  ihost sayings  must  ht faithful  which 
effectachange  so  obviousand  lasting;  thatthey 
must  be  xvorthy  of  all  acceptation  which  are 
instrumental  in  producing  tempers  so  excel- 


Sermon  2.  41 

lent  ill  this  world,  and  opening  to  our  view 
the  prospect  of  rewards  so  abundant  in  the 
world  to  come.  Few  characters  presented 
in  sacred  history  appear  more  amiable,  or 
instructive  than  the  honored  pair  which  we 
now  intend  to  consider.  '*  They  were  both 
righteous  before  God,  walking  in  all  his  com- 
mandments and  ordinances  blameless.'' 

They  are  pronounced  righteous  before  God. 
This  is  a  character  which  is  applicable  to  none 
by  nature.  '*  for  the  scripture  has  concluded 
all  under  sin.     The  Lord  looked  down  from 
heaven  upon   the   children   of  men  to  see  if 
there  were  any  that  did  understand,  and  seek 
God,''  and  what  was  the  result  of  this  enqui- 
ry?   *'  They   are  all  gone  aside,"  he  declares, 
"  they  are  altogether  become  filthy  ;   there  is 
none  that  doeth  good  ;  no,  not  one."     Ther 
are  indiscriminately    pronounced  children  of 
^vrath  ;  they   have  not  merely  forfeited  that 
favor  of  God  which  they  once  enjoyed,   and 
which  constituted  their  happiness,  and  glory, 
but  they  are  without  cither  ability  or  inclina- 
tion to  recover  it.     But  thanks    be    to  God, 
what  was  in:ipossibie  with  man  is  now  fully  ac- 
complished by  his  own  wisdom  and  love  :  Al- 
though none  are  righteous  by    nature,    there 
are  millions  rendered  righteous  by  grace,  by 
their  interest  in  that  divinely   condescending 
Saviour  *'  who  is  the  end  of  the  law  for  right- 
eousness to  every  one  that  belie veth."    That 
righteousness  which  had  been  forfeited  by  the 
Jlrat  Adam    is  fiillv  restored  by  the  obedience 

E   2 


i 


42  Sermon  2. 

and  blood  of  the  second  Adarn^  the  Lord  from 
heaven. 

They  were  both  righteous  before  God.     It 
is  peculiarly  amiable  when  those  who  are  one 
in  the  intimate,  endearing  bonds  of  nature  arc 
one  in  the  still  more  intimate,  endearing,  in- 
dissoluble bond  of  grace.     How  is  every  en- 
joyment   enhanced,   how    is   every  difficulty 
diminished ;  with  M'hat   resolution    is  every 
duty  discharged,  and  every  temptation  resist* 
ed  when  the  husband  and  the  wife  prove  help 
meets  in  things  spiritual  no  less  than  temporal  j: 
when  they  cordially  walk  together  in  the  fear 
of  Jehovah,  cheering  the  hopes,  dispelling  the 
fears,  solving   the  doubts,  and  sympathising^ 
in  the  sorrows  of  each  other.     In  the   great 
concerns  of  religion  iniinitcly  rather  than  in  a- 
jiy  other  concern  **  two  are  better  than  one.'*" 
Each  virtue  by  mutual  reflection  shines  with 
double    lustre,  and    every  grace  burns    with 
double  ardor.     "  What  a  live  coal  applied  to- 
devotion  when  the  solitary    my  Father,  and 
my  God  is  changed  into  the  social  our  Father,^ 
and  our  God  ?  How  is  the  hope  of  glory  en- 
riobled,  and  animated  by  the  prospect  of  par- 
ticipation ?  Here  am  I,  holy  Father,  with  her 
whom  thou  gavest  to  be  an  help  meet  for  me : 
v/e  were  one  in  interest  and  affection  ;  one  in 
the  faith  of  the  gospel,  and  :he  practice  of  pi- 
ety ;  our    prayers  ascended  in  one  stream  of 
incense,  and  every  gift  of  thy  providence  and 
grace  was  sweetened  to  each  by  being  bestow- 
ed on  the  other*     Sweet  were  our  labours  of 


Sermon  2.  4^ 

love  to  our  joint  offspring  ;  sweet  our  united 
eftbrts  to  improve  the  bounty  of  our  common 
parent ;  sweet  tlie  sympathies  of  kindred  spi- 
rits in  sickness  or  health,  in  sorrow  and  in 
joy ;  in  good  report  or  in  evil  report,  but 
sweeter  far  the  consolations  of  religion,  the 
prospect  of  life  and  imniortality  brought  ta 
light  by  the  gospel.  * 

They  walked  in  Im  commandments^  and  or- 
dinances. As  the  nature  of  the  tree  is  known 
by  its  fruits,  and  the  fountain  by  its  waters,  sa 
the  condition  of  the  man,  and  the  woman  be- 
fore God  is  best  known  by  tlielr  conduct 
before  the  world — All  who  are  relativelvri2:ht- 
eous  in  virtue  of  the  righteousness  of  Jesus 
the  Surety  imputed  are  really  holy  through 
his  holiness  imparted,  and  will  aim  at  regulate 
ing  their  lives  by  his  law.  '*  They  are  create 
ed  in  Christ  Jesus  unto  good  works,"  and 
while  they  glorify  the  SAVIOUR  by  submit- 
ting to  his  righteousness  they  put  honour  on 
the  PRINCE  by  bowing  to  his  authority.  The 
truth  of  this  principle  is  happily  exempliiied 
in  the  character  of  Zecharias  and  Elizabeth. 
Being  **  righteous  before  God  they  walked  in 
all  hiscommandments  and  ordinances.'*  Their 
religion  was  not  that  solemn  mockery  which 
consists  in  calling,  *'  Lord,  Lord,  without  do- 
ing the  things  which  he  requires,"  but  with 
the  homage  of  their  lips  they  offered  him  al- 
so the  homage  of  their  lives.  In  these  ordi- 
nances theif  walked.  Their  obedience  was 
not  occasional,  but    uniform,  and  muversal. 


44  Sermon  2. 

The  character  of  no  man  is  formed  by  a  soli- 
tary act  cither  virtuous,  or  vicious.  The 
most  circumspect  are  sometimes  thrown  eft' 
theirguard, and  betrayed  into  irregularities, and 
the  most  impudent  in  impiety  are  occasional- 
ly devout,  'i'he  petrified  atheist, had  he  hones- 
ty to  speak  as  he  feels,  would  sometimes  utter 
the  confession  *'  my  flcsii  trembleth  for  fear 
of  thee  ;  mine  iniquity  is  greater  than  I  can 
bear."  It  is  our  usual  deportment  which 
fixes  the  stamp  upon  our  character  as  men, 
and  it  is  our  uniform,  persevering  attention  to 
the  duties  of  religion  which  puts  the  stamp 
upon  our  character  as  christians.  It  is  recor- 
ded of  Enoch  that  he  walked  xvith  Gocly  and 
the  patriarch  Abraham  was  solemnly  ad- 
monished, walk  before  me  and  he  thou  perfect. 
This  righteous  pair  are  also  reprcsenled  as 
walking  in  all  tie  comnurridments,  and  ordi- 
lances  of  God  :  They  did  not  regard  their  du- 
ty to  their  Creator  as  a  "  ly  work,"  as  an  in- 
lerior  service  v.hich  might  be  pressed  out  of 
its  ordinary  course  by  the  pleasures  or  busi- 
ness of  the  world  :  '1  hey  considered  the  fear 
of  God,  and  the  observance  of  his  command- 
ments as  *'  the  ^^  hole  of  man,'  as  the  most 
dignified  of  their  daily  exercises,  and  the  most 
deliglitfui  of  their  daily  enjoyments. 

In  the  history  of  Zecharias  and  Elizabeth 
we  behold  religion  as  not  only  refining,  and 
ennobling  the  human  character,  but  receiving 
even  in  the  present  vv^orld  a  great  reward.  He 
was  flavored  with  the  visions  of  the  Almighty, 


Sermon  2.  45 

am!  they  were  honored  with  a  Son  who  was 
great  in  the  eyes  of  the  Lord,  and  was 
filled  with  the  Holy  Ghost  from  his  mother's 
womb.  We  learn  also  from  their  example, 
and  conduct  that  notwithstanding  all  the  de- 
ceitfulness  of  the  human  heart,  and  the  al-- 
lurements  of  the  world  a  high  degree  of  per- 
fection may  be  attained.  Christians  are  some- 
times so  discouraged  through  a  consciousness 
of  their  own  frailty,  and  a  recollection  of  the 
innumerable  instances  in  which  their  hearts 
have  betrayed  them  that  they  almost  despair 
of  making  any  considerable  advancement  in 
holiness  ;  they  sit  down  contented  with  a  bare 
hope  of  future  salvation  without  aspiring  after 
great  attainments  in  sanctity,  or  usefulness 
here.  But  this  reasoning  proceeds  rather 
from  indolence,  and  irresolution  than  from  a- 
ny  real  conviction  that  little  can  be  done. 
The  very  consideration  that  we  are  comman- 
ded "  to  be  perfect  as  our  Father  in  heaven 
is  perfect'  obviously  intimates  that  by  keep- 
ing  our  hearts  with  all  diligence,  by  watching 
the  door  of  our  lips,  by  attending  in  a  humble, 
spiritual  manner  the  means  appointed  for  our 
edification,  by  avoiding  the  company  of  those 
v.'hose  conversation  might  pollute,  and  asso- 
ciating with  those  whose  conversation  may 
profit  very  high  degrees  of  perfection  may  be 
attained,  and  that  after  these  we  ought  most 
earnestly  to  aspire. 

As  a  mean  of  encouraging  you  to  press  on 
towards  this  perfection  permit  me  to  enumer- 


46  Sc 


rtnon 


ate  those  ordinances  which  are  appointed  of 
Gcd  for  that  purpose,  and  also  to  shew  that 
each  of  them, in  its  own  phice,  should  be  care- 
fully observed. 

1.  Prayer  may  be  noticed  as  one  very  im- 
portant ordinance  to  which  we  ought  consci- 
entiously to  attend.  This  is  a  duty  explicitly 
enjoined  by  the  Head  of  the  churchy  and  has 
been  acknowledged  by  the  children  of  the 
kingdom  in  every  age  as  a  principal  mean  of 
fellowship  with  the  Father  of  Spirits.  We 
are  thus  commanded  to  "  pray  every  where  ; 
to  pray  always,  and  not  to  faint,  and  to 
watch  and  pray  that  we  enter  not  into  tempta- 
tion :"  After  the  apostle  bad  pointed  out  the 
various  parts  of  the  armor  of  God  ;  after  he 
had  recommended  to  our  use  the  shield  of 
faith,  the  breast-plate  of  righteousness,  the 
helmet  of  salvation  and  the  sw'ord  ofthe  Spirit; 
after  he  had  shew  n  their  importance  in  the  spi- 
ritual w\nrfare  he  concludes  with  the  exhorta- 
tion, **  praying  always  with  all  pjayer  and 
supplication  in  the  spirit,  and  Vv'atching  there- 
unto with  all  peiseverance  and  supplication 
for  all  saints."  From  this  passage  we  are 
taught  the  necessity  of  mingling  prayer  with 
every  service  of  religion.  Although  a  com- 
plete armour  is  furnished  for  the  spiritual  sol- 
dier yet  he  is  unable  successfully  to  wield  it 
in  opposition  to  the  enemies  of  his  siilvation 
without  strength  derived  from  above,  and 
this  strength  is  to  be  derived  by  prayer  as  the 
principal  mean.     Whatever    be  the  circum- 


Sermon  2,  47 

stances  in  which  the  christian  is  phiced  ;  whe- 
ther he  be  called  to  resist  a  strong  temptation, 
or  perform  an  arduous  duty  he  ought  by  pray- 
er to  look  up  for  grace  sufficient  to  the  occa- 
sion. We  thus  find  Jacob  in  the  solitary  wil- 
derness, Jehoshaphat  in  the  field  of  battle, 
Jonah  in  the  midst  of  the  waves,  David  driv- 
en by  an  unpitying  adversary,  Paul  in  the  pri- 
son, and  Stephen  in  the  arms  of  death  all  im- 
portunate in  prayer  to  him  who  was  able  to 
support  or  deliver  them. 

2.  The  frequent  and  careful  perusal  of  the 
scriptures  is  an  ordinajice  of  the  Living  God, 
and  calculated  to  promote  our  spiritual  edifi- 
cation. When  a  very  inconsiderable  part  of 
the  sacred  cannon  was  written,  the  use  of  them 
was  solemnly  enjoined  upon  the  nation  of  Is- 
rael, and  through  them  upon  the  church  of 
God  in  eveiy  age.  "  These  words  which  I 
command  thee  this  day  shall  be  in  thine  heart, 
and  thou  shalt  teach  them  diligently  unto  thy 
children,  and  shalt  talk  of  them  when  thou 
sittest  in  thine  house,  and  when  thou  walkest 
by  the  way  ;  when  thou  llest  down,  and  when 
thou  risest  \\\),*'  The  very  occasion  when 
this  command  was  delivered  may  tend  to  en- 
force the  observance  of  it.  The  Israelites 
v/cre  enjoined  ''  to  love  the  Lord  their  God 
with  ail  their  heart,"  andasa  mean  of  cherish- 
ing this  love  to  be  familiar  with  the  oracles  of 
divine  truth :  to  be  reflecting  upon  them  when 
alon?,  und  talking  of  them  when  together  ; 
more  esj-ecially  to  be  frequently  reading  and 


48  Sermon  2. 

repeating  them  in  the  circle  of  their  privatp 
families.  We  ought  to  revolve  them  iii  our 
own  minds  as  our  *' joy  and  rejoicing:''  we 
ought  to  teach  and  recommend  them  to  our 
children  as  their  inestimable  portion.  It  was 
mentioned  as  the  distinguishing  privilege  and 
glory  of  Israel  that  to  them  pertained  *'  the 
giving  of  the  law,  and  the  promises,"  and  the 
authority  of  God  will  unite  with  their  own 
interest  to  constrain  every  true  Israelite  faith- 
fully to  improve  them.  After  David  indul- 
ges himself  in  describing  the  excellence  of  the 
inspired  oracles,  that  they  *'  rejoice  the  heart," 
that  they  '*  enlighten  the  eyes ;"  that  they 
*'  endure  forever,''  he  adds  with  elevated  e- 
motions  of  gratitude  and  love,  "  more  to  be 
desired  are  they  than  gold,  yea,  than  much 
fine  gold  ;  sweeter  also  than  honey,  and  the 
honey-comb  ;  I  have  chosen  thy  testimonies 
as  mine  heritage  forever,  they  are  the  rejoic- 
ing of  my  heart."  The  use  of  the  living  ora- 
cles which  was  early  enjoined  under  the  for- 
mer dispensation  is  urged  by  our  Lord  with 
additional  arguments  under  the  present ; 
"  Search  the  scriptures,  for  in  them  ye  think 
ye  have  eternal  life  ;"'  there  the  treasures  of 
grace  and  glory  are  clearly  revealed  ;  there 
they  are  unconditionally  offered  ;  And  he  pro- 
poses another  reason  for improvingthem  which 
inust  powerfully  interest  the  hearts  of  all  who 
have  tasted  of  his  love,  '*  they  testify  of  me  ;' 
they  reveal  my  glory  as  God,  my  coudescen- 
tion  and  grace  as  Mediator,  my  ability  to  save 


Sermon  2.  49 

to  the  very  uttermost,  and  my  readiness  to 
receive  with  open  arms  every  sinner  who  re- 
turns. 

3.  The  sanctification  of  the  christian  sab- 
hath  is  another  ordinance  of  religion  which  it 
is  equally  our  duty,  and  interest  to  observe. 
The  consecration  of  a  seventh  part  of  his  time 
to  the  immediate  service  of  his  Creator  was 
required  of  Adam,  and  enforced  by  a  consi- 
deration which  remains  equally  impressive 
throughout  all  generations,  the  example  of 
Jehovah  ia  the  creation  of  the  world.  This 
command  relative  to  the  sanctification  of  the 
sabbath  was  repeated  with  almost  every  new 
revelation  during  the  dispensation  of  Moses, 
and  is  recommended  to  us  by  the  exam- 
ple of  our  master,  and  his  apostles.  There 
is  no  institution  of  Christianity  against  the  neg- 
lect of  which  seve^'erjudgments  are  denounced, 
neither  is  there  any  to  the  consciencious  ob- 
servance of  which  greater  blessings  both  tem- 
poral, and  spiritual  are  promised.  *'  If  thou 
wilt  call  the  sabbath  a  delight,  the  holy  of  the 
Lord  honourable,  and  shalt  honour  him  not 
doing  thine  own  ways,  nor  finding  thine  own 
pleasure,  nor  speaking  thine  own  words : 
Then  shalt  thou  delight  thyself  in  the  Lord, 
and  I  will  cause  thee  to  ride  upon  the  hip;h 
places  of  the  earth,  and  feed  thee  with  the 
heritage  of  Jacob  thy  Father,  for  the  mouth 
of  the  Lord  hath  spoken  it.'  The  experience 
of  the  christian  in  innumerable  histances  can 
bear  testimony  to  the  truth  of  these  promises. 


50  S(rL 


ion   "2. 


He  generally  \md.?>  llint  his  soul  prospers  through 
the  week  ;  that  he  feels  delight  in  Jehovah  and 
enlargement  \a  the  various  exercises  of  reli- 
gion in  proportion  as  he  u^ns  eiiabled  to  keep 
holy  the  sabbath.  It  is  mentioned  again  that  tie 
"  Lord  blessed  the  seventh  day,  and  saneti- 
ficd  it  ;■'  eonsecrated  it  to  all  his  followers  as 
a  lively  nieniorial  of  his  goodness  both  in 
creation,  and  redemption  ;  a  day  whieh  he 
designed  to  distinguish  from  all  otiiers  by  the 
communication  of  blessings  to  his  worship, 
pers,  and  in  aiTording  ihem  elevating  pledges 
of  that  glorious  day  when  they  should  cease 
from  the  labors  of  this  world,  and  be  admit- 
ted to  his  full  fruition. 

4.  The  preaching  of  the  word  is  another 
ordinance  to  which  the  children  of  the  king- 
dom are  obligated  to  atterid,  and  by  v/hich 
their  edification  is  often  promoted.  God  in 
his  unsearchable  sovereignty  lias  been  T)itas- 
ed  ''  to  put  the  treasure  into  earthen  vessels;" 
he  imj)arts  to  rnaji  a  competent  portion  of  the 
spirit  in  his  illuminating  and  sanctif)  ing  in- 
fluences, and  employs  him  as  the  instrument 
of  salvation  to  his  fellow  rnen  :  And  to  the 
labors  of  those  v/ho  are  regularly  called  to  tlio 
ministerial  oitice  it  is  the  duty  of  otliers  dili- 
gently to  attend.  He  who  respects  and  hears 
them  respects  and  hears  their  Master  who 
sent  them,  and  in  pouring  contempt  upon 
them,  contempt  is  poured  upon  Iiim  in  whose 
name  they  appear.  It  is  required  that  the 
**  lips  of  the  Priest   should  keep  knovv^Iedge, 


Sermon  2.  51 

v^TiCi  that  the  ptonle  should  hear  the  knv  at  his 
niuiiih,   ])ecaase'  he  is  the  messenger  of  the 
Lord  of  hosts.  '     The  jw  ^el  mimstry  is  the 
o-reat  mean  instituted  of  God  for  preservmg  a 
visible  chureh   in  the  world  ;   it   is   also  his 
principal  mean  for  bringing  to  a  participation 
of  grace  here  and  glory   hereafter  those  wno 
\v'ci'e  chosen  from  eternity  as  vessels  of  mer- 
cy. '*  He  gave  some  apostles,  some  prophets, 
some  evangelists,  some  pastors,  and  teachers 
for  the  perfecting  of   the    saints,  and  for  the 
tdifvingof  thebodv  of  Christ  until  we  all  come 
to  the  unitv  of  the  iaith,  and  of  the  knowledge 
of  the  Son'of  God  "     He  who  commands  his 
ministering  servants  '*  to  take  heed   to  their 
ministry  ;^to  be  instant  in  season  and  out  of 
season"  enjoins  others  ''  not  to  forget  the  as- 
sembling of  themselves  together,  to  give  the 
more  earnest  heed  to  the  things  that  are  spo- 
ken,  '  and  both  are  ariimated  to  fidelity  in  their 
respective  stations   from  the   assurance   that 
*'  the  Lord   dell.iz;hteth   in  the  gates  of  Zion  ; 
that   he    will   clothe   her  Priests   with    salva- 
tion, and  cause  her  saints  to  shout  aloud  for 

iov.'' 

With  the  preaching  of  the  word  we  may  al« 
so  connect  the  seals  "of  the  covenant  as  ordi- 
nances of  religion  faithfully  to  be  improved. 
As  the  great  God  has  been  pleased  uniformly 
to  transact  with  man  under  the  form  of  a  co- 
venant it  has  been  his  ordinary  method  to  an- 
nex seals  to  these  covenants  :  he  thus  strength- 
ens  our   faith  bv  giving  a  body  to  spiritual 


52  SermdJi  2. 

blessings,    and    renclerini^  them   obvious    to 
our  natural  senses      During  the  dispensation 
of  the  covenant  of  vvorks   •'   the  tree  of  life" 
was  to  Adam  a  sensible  pledge  of  that  eternal 
life  which   he   might  expect  as  a   reward  for 
obedience,  and  '*  the  tree  of  the  knowledge  of 
good  and  evil"  v/as  to  him  a  constant  memo- 
rial of  that  good  uLich  he  should  forfeit,    and 
also  of  that  evil  Vvhich  he   i^hould    incur  by 
transgression.    After  the  apostacy  of  man,  and 
the   introduction    of  another   covenant,  seals 
went!  annexed  to   it.      During    the    econom.y 
of  Moses  circumcision  and  the  passovcr  were 
appointed,  though    obscure,   yet  real  repre- 
sentations of  spiritual  blcosings,  and  these  af- 
ter the  ascension  of  our  Lord  were  succeeded 
by  baptism,  and  the   holy  supper.     The  ad- 
ministration of  the  sacraments  may  be  consi- 
dered a  chief  part  of  ministerial  duty,  and  the 
conscientious    observance    of  them   a    chief 
part  of  christian  worship.     While  our    Lord 
authorizes  his  apostles  to  teach  all  nations  he 
also  directs,  "  baptizing  them  in  the  nam.e  of 
the  Father,  of  the  Son  and  of  the  Holy  Ghost." 
•  By  thisinstituiion  we  are  formally  initiated  into 
the  church  of  Jesus  Christ,    and  assume  the 
badge  of  his  visible  followers.   We  find  there- 
fore from  the  history  of  Christianity  in  early  ages 
thatthose  who  believed  the  doctrines  preached 
by  the  Apostles  immediately  submitted  to  this 
ordinance.     Paul  at  his  conversion,  the    Eu- 
nuch, the  Jailor  and  his  household,  Lydia  and 
her  household  received  the  rite  of  baptism  as 


Sermon  2.  S^ 

a  seal  of  the  righteousness  of  the  Aiith  which 
they  professed  to  embrace.  In  the  sacrament  . 
of  the  supper  other  elements  are  employed  to 
represent  blessings  whichare  substantially  the 
same.  The  bread  is  consecrated  to  be  a  sym- 
bol of  the  Saviour's  body,  and  the  wine  a  re- 
presentation of  that  blood  which  was  shed  for 
the  remission  of  sin.  We  behold  our  Lord» 
"  the  very  night  in  which  he  was  betrayed," 
taking  bread  and  wine,  setting  them  apart  as 
signs  of  spiritual  blessings,  and  solemnly  com- 
inanding  his  disciples  to  receive  them  in  re- 
membrance of  him.  "  As  often  as  ye  eat 
this  bread,  and  drink  this  cup,  ye  do  shew 
the  Lord's  death  until  he  come."  In  obsert^- 
ing  the  ordinances  of  baptism  and  the  supper 
we  more  formally  come  out  from  the  world 
than  by  our  attention  to  any  other  ordinance; 
*'  we  more  publicly  avouch  the  Lord  to  be  our 
God,"  and  yield  ourselves  up  to  be  his  ex- 
clusively, and  everlastiiigly. 

We  are  called, 

II.  To  enquire  why  the  christian  is  obli- 
gatt:d  "  to  walk  in  all  the  commandments  and 
ordinances  of  God." 

1.  The  christian  should  aim  at  walking 
in  all  these  ordinances^  because  they  are  ail 
enstamped  with  the  same  high  authority.  We 
cannot  consider  that  child  as  respectful  to  its 
parents  who  obeys  some  duties  enjoined  by 
them  while  it  neglects  other  commands  equal- 
ly explicit,  nor  that  subject  as  loyal  to  his 
prince  who  obeys  in  part  thclavv's  of  the  king- 
f .  2 


54  Sermon  2. 

dom,  and  eidicr  through  neglect  or  contempt 
tramples  upon  others.  When  all  the  laws 
are  sanctioned  with  the  same  royal  seal  to 
treat  either  with  indifference  is  practically  to 
despise  that  authority  from  which  they  all 
proceed.  If  any  are  knoningly  and  willully 
neglected,  this  neglect  plainly  evinces  that 
the  others  are  obeyed  rather  from  conveni- 
ence than  from  motives  of  real  respect  for 
the  crown.  The  violation  of  one  statute  ma5^ 
not  be  considered  of  such  deep  and  extensive 
mischief  in  its  consequences,  yet  it  argues  the 
same  want  of  fidelity  on  the  part  of  the  sub- 
ject. The  application  of  this  remark  is  ob- 
vious. Upon  the  same  principle  that  the  pro- 
fessed follower  of  the  Lamb  is  bound  to  keep 
any  commandment,  or  ordinance  of  Zion  s 
Kins:,  he  is  bound  to  keep  whatever  he  lias 
commanded,  and  ordained.  If  he  observes 
one  institution  rather  than  another,  because 
the  performance  is  more  easy,  this  is  virtual- 
ly to  make  his  own  ease  and  inclination  and 
not  the  will  of  his  Lord  the  foundation  of  his 
duty:  If  he  observes  cne,  and  neglects  ano- 
ther which  might  require  a  greater  sacrifice  of 
interest  or  honor,  this  is  making  his  own  in- 
terest and  honor  rather  than  the  interest  or 
honor  of  Jesus  the  principle  of  his  conduct. 
It  is  an  awful  evidence  that  he  is  ashamed  of 
the  Son  of  man,  and  consequently  has  never 
cordially  enlisted  under  his  standard.  When 
the  Apostles  were  sent  abroad  to  convert  the 
nations  to  the  gospel  it  was  with  this  positive 


Sermon  2.  55 

instruction,  **  teaching  them  to  observe  all 
thinp;s  whatsoever  I  have   commanded  you." 
An  implicit,  cordial  submission  to  his  autho- 
rity by  an  observance  of  all  his  institutions  is 
the  test  established  by  our  Master  for  ascer- 
taining his  real  disciples.   '*  Ye  are  my  friends 
if  ye  do  whatsoever  1  have  commanded  you.'' 
This  is  a  consideration   which   in  fidelity   to 
Him,  and  friendship  to  you  1  wish  to  impress 
upon  your  consciences.      There  are  many   in 
the  visible  church  who  profess  to  believe  the 
scriptures,  who  are  regular  in  their  attendance 
at  the  sanctuary,  and  whose  moral  character 
is  unstained  by  the  pollutions  of  the  w^orld, 
and  yet  habitually  neglect  those  more  discrim- 
inating ordinances  of  religion,    baptism    and 
the  supper  of  our  Lord.     Now,  is    not   the 
discharge  of  some   duties,  and   the  omission 
of  others  which  are   enjoined  with  the  same 
solemnity  both   inconsistent  and  dangerous  ? 
Has  not  he  who  commanded    the   heralds   of 
the  cross  ''  to  preach  tlie  gospel  to  every  crea- 
ture'" also  commanded  go  and  baptise  ?  And 
has  he  not  added  for  the  instruction  and  encou- 
ragement of  his    followers,  he  that  believeth 
and  is  baptised  shall  be  saved  ?  But  we  cannot 
jrreach  to  men  unless  they  will  hear,  neither 
can  we  baptise  unless  they  offer  themselves 
for  baptism.     Is    the  institution   more  clear, 
more  solemn,    **  search   the    scriptures  ;  re- 
member the  sabbath  day  to  keep  it  holy"  than 
the  institution,  ''  take,  eat,  this  is  my  body 
which  is  broken  for  you.     This  do  ye  in  re- 


56  Sermon  2. 

niembrnnce  of  me  ?"  Surely  then  if  gratitude 
to  the  Son  of  God  as  our  Saviour,  and  re- 
spect for  him  as  our  Prince  should  constrain 
u:-  to  keep  either^  they  should  constrain  us 
to  keep  all  these  coinnuindments  ;  or  if  there 
be  any  discrimir.ation  our  anxiety  to  observe 
the  latter  should  be  th.e  greatest,  because  it 
was  his  dying  injunction,  2nd  in  discharging 
this  duty  our  confession  of  his  name  is  more 
public  and  formal.  It  is  readily  acknowledg- 
ed that  the  ordinance  of  the  supper  is  pecu- 
liarly solemn,  and  the  denunciations  against 
the  unworthy  comimunicant  are  awful.  Some 
therefore  who  consider  it  their  duty  and  pri- 
vilege to  attend  other  ordinances  of  religion, 
have  not  freedom  to  approach  the  table  of  the 
Lord  :  With  sucl>  vre  ought  to  sympathize,, 
but  are  they  v,  ho  labor  under  tluse  fears  dili- 
rent  in  usini?  the  means  bv  which  their 
doubts  may  be  removed,  and  their  minds 
more  enlightened  and  ebtablished  ?  Do  they 
meditate  often  upon  the  promises  wl/ich  ex- 
hibit a  plenitude  of  grace  for  tliC  supply  of  all 
our  wants  ;  v/hich  reveal  pardon  i^jr  tlie  guil- 
ty, holiness  for  ilie  polluted,  and  consolation 
for  the  oppressed  and  disconsolate  ?  Do  they 
converse  with  experienced  christians,  and 
with  the  ministers  of  religion  expressing  their 
doubts,  and  asking  counsel  at  their  lips  ?  A- 
bove  all,  are'  they  importunate  with  the  Holy 
Ghost  who  as  the  Spirit  of  light  "  leads  his 
children  into  all  truth,  and  makes  darkness 
light  before  them  ;"    as  the  sphit  of  liberty 


Sermon  2.  57 

looses  the  chains  from  the  spiritual  captive, 
*'  sets  his  feet  upon  a  rock,  and  establishes 
his  goings  ;''  as  the  Spirit  of  joy  "  comforts 
the  mourner  in  Zion,  and  gives  quietness  and 
assurance  forever  ?"  Are  they  thus  giving  all 
diligence  in  the  more  private  cxejcises  of  re- 
ligion that  their  souls  may  become  light  in  the 
Lord,  and  they  enabled  to  attend  this  and  all 
his  ordinances  '*  without  distraction  ?'*  Sure- 
ly the  atiectionate,  dutiful  child  would  regret 
that  any  thing  should  occur  to  prevent  it  from 
complying  wiih  the  request  of  a  beloved,  re- 
vered Father,  {>r  the  generous  soldier  would 
feel  mortified  thi  t  any  accident  should  ren- 
der him  incapable  of  appearing  at  his  post, 
and  performing  his  duty,  especially  that  he 
should  be  absent  on  some  great  occasion  when 
the  honor  of  his  Captain  peculiarly  required 
his  presence  ;  and  is  it  no  grief,  no  humil- 
iation to  a  professed  christian  to  neglect  from 
year  to  year  one  of  the  most  sublime,  inter- 
esting ordinances  ofNew-Testament  worship^ 
the  last  injunction  of  '*  him  who  was  slain, 
and  redeemed  us  unto  God  by  his  blood?" 

Bare  with  me  while  I  notice  another  irreg- 
ularity with  which  many  professors  are  charge- 
able, particularly  in  relation  to  the  ordinance 
of  the  supper,  Some  who  I  believe  are  con- 
scientious in  performing  the  other  duties  of 
religion  are  easily  tempted  to  absent  them- 
selves from  the  table  of  the  Lord.  An  ofience 
taken  at  a  member  of  the  church,  or  some 
supposed  irregularity  in  the  manner  of  admin- 


SB  Sermon  2. 

istering  the  ordinance  is  considered  a  sufficient 
reason  for  their  neglect  of  it.  But  hovrever 
conscientious  such  persons  may  be  in  their 
conduct,  conscience  in  this  instance  is  not 
properly  enUghtened.  Suppose  that  one  clnld 
in  a  family  should  give  offence  to  another 
child  would  this  justify  the  latter  in  tramp- 
ling on  the  command  of  their  common  Fa- 
ther P  Or  if  one  soldier  in  a  corps  behaves  dis- 
orderly, would  his  disorder  justify  another  in 
departing  from  the  ranks,  and  deserting  the 
service  of  his  Captain  ?  1  know  it  is  often  ob- 
jected that  it  *'  cur  L^rother  have  (Aight  against 
us  we  are  corrjuiano'^d  to  U  ave  our  gift  at  the 
altar,  and  go  and  l)e  reconelicd  to  our  bro- 
ther. '  But  suppose  that  he  refuses  to  be  re- 
conciled ;  su Impose  tlu.t  his  bosom  burns  with 
ras:;e  a^:iinst  us,  s:ill  V  becomes  us  to  A)rsfive 
and  to  aim  Aviih  luimiiity  at  perfornihig  our 
duty.  Our  obedience  to  Jesus  Jehovah  should 
not  only  be  uni\ersal,  but  uniforni  :  It  is  not 
sufiicientthat"  ue  keep  all  Iiiscommandments 
and  ordinances,'*  but  this  observance  should 
be  rendered  at  <?// times  when  opportunity  is 
enjoyed.  1  have  spoken  freely  and  largely 
on  this  subject  from  a  conviction  of  its  great 
im.portance.  1  am  persuaded  that  many  chris- 
tians by  making  their  own  feelings,  perhaps 
in  some  instances  yielding  to  their  ou'n  ca- 
])rice  as  the  rule  of  their  duty  rather  than  the 
authority  of  the  living  God  Liy  a  snare  for 
their  ov»m  consciences,  militate  asrainst  the 
edification  of  others,  tarnish  the  bcautv  of  the 


Sermon  2.  50 

church,  and  expose  themselves  to  the  rod  of 
their  heavenly  Father. 

2.  We  are  oi)iigatcd  to  ''  walk  in  all  the 
ordinAiices  ofGod,"  because  there  is  an  inti- 
mate connection  between  them,  and  each  is 
essential  in  its  own  place  When  the  institu- 
tions of  religion  are  considered  separately, 
they  may  not  all  appear  of  equal  importance, 
and  the  observance  of  some  nray  seem  more 
indispensible  than  that  of  others.  The  omis- 
sion of  prayer  in  secret  may  not  perhaps  ap- 
pear  so  evil  in  its  consequences  as  tl>e  neglect 
of  some  more  public  part  of  christian  worship* 
In  the  former  ir.-tance  the  omission  is  known 
only  to  God,  and  he  alone  can  be  offended  ; 
in  the  latter  instance  the  neglect  is  obvious, 
l30th  to  him  and  the  world  :  God  is  therefore 
dishonored,  the  righteous  are  grieved,  and  the 
jrrofane,  ready  to  consider  all  religion  as  a 
matter  merely  of  convenience,  are  encouraged 
in  their  iniquity.  But  it  ought  to  be  consi- 
dered as  important,  being  appointed  for  our 
spiritual  ediiication  ;  to  the  due  performance  a 
promise  is  annexed,  and  in  the  wilful  omission 
of  anv  the  frown  of  our  Father  may  be  expect- 
ed. ''  li  his  children  forsake  my  law,  and 
walk  not  in  my  judgments  :  If  they  break  my 
statutes,  and  keep  not  my  commandments  : 
Then  will  I  visit  their  transgression  Vvith  the 
rod,  and  tlieir  iniquity  w^ith  stripes/'  All  the 
stones  in  a  particular  arch  may  not  in  the  view 
of  a  spectator  be  equally  necessary  :  They 
arc  notuf  the  same  size,  nor  alike  splendid  in 


GO  Sermon  2. 

their  outward  appearance,   yet  a  single  stone 
cannot  be  removed  without  defacing  the  beau- 
ty and  diminishing  the  strength  and  stability 
of  the  whole  arch  :  All  the  members   of  the 
human  body  are  not  alike  elegant  or  useful  ; 
the  hand  has  not  the  brilliancy  of  the  eye,  nor 
is  the  foot  so  exquisitely  nice  in  its  structure 
as  the  organ  of  hearing,  yet  by  severing  one 
member  from  the  body,  the  beauty  and  per- 
fection of  the  whole  frame  wnuld  be  destroy- 
ed.    Thus  every  ordinance  of  religion  is  im- 
portant in  its  own  place  :   There  is  an  intimate 
connection  between  the  duties  as  well  as  the 
doctrines  of  Christianity.     Besides,  the  very 
consideration  that  any  institution  has  the  au- 
thority of  Jehovah  as  its  sanction,   is  a  suffi- 
cient reason  why  w^e  should  scrupulously  and 
at  any  expence  observe  it  :  And  a  departure 
from  any  known  ordinance  is  an  impeachment 
of  that  wisdom,  and  sovereignty,  and  love  by 
which  it  was  appointed. 

I  would  apply  this  doctrine  by  exhorting  all 
to  become  tollowcrs  of  this  honored,  thrice 
happy  pair,  •'  who  through  faith  and  patience 
do  now  inherit  the  promises.''  Their  exam- 
ple is  recorded  both  for  our  instruction  and 
imitation.  True  it  is,  diligence  is  requisite, 
and  a  little  sacrifice  of  our  fleshly  ease  must 
be  made  in  discharging  the  duties  of  religion. 
We  cannot  "  search  the  scriptures,"  nor  ex- 
cite our  souis  to  a  devout  contemplation  of 
divine  subjects  without  labor  ;  without  labor 
we  cannot  attain  to  a  becoming  fervor  in 


Sermon  2.  61 

prayer  ;  We  cannot  be  instant  in  attending  the 
services  of  the  sanctuary  ;  we  cannot  be  vigi. 
lant  "  in  keeping  our  hearts  ;''  we  cannot  re- 
tain  divine  truth  frequently  revolving  it  in  our 
memories,     and  incorporating     it    with   our 
souls  ;  we  cannot  watch,  nor  fast,  nor  sanctify 
the  sabbath  by  performing  its  various  duties  ; 
Vv-e  cannot  solemnise   our   hearts,  and  rouse 
them  up  to  a  suitable  frame  "  for  eating  the 
bread  and  drinking  the  wine"  which  are  con- 
secrated  as  symbols  of  the  body  and  blood  of 
our  Lord.     The  discharge  of  these  duties  will 
require  attention,   and  be  accompanied  \yith 
toil  ;  but  for  what  will  we  consent  to  toil  if 
not  "  for  that  meat  which  endureth  to  ever- 
lasting  life  ?"  For  what  will  we  submit  to  a 
little  labor  of  body,  or  exertion  of  mind  if  not 
in  performing  the  pleasure  of  Him  who  crea- 
ted us,  and  in  promoting  the  salvation  of  that 
soul  which  shall  never,  never  die  ?  Besides, 
by  a  disinterested  zeal   in   ''  walking  in  the 
commandments  and  ordinances  of  God,''  we 
become  assimulaied  to  the  most  honoiable  of 
our  race  who  have  lived  in  all  preceding  gen- 
erations; to  Enoch  who  "  walked  with  God  ," 
to  Abraham  who  at  the  divine  command  left 
*'  his  own  people,  and  his  father's  house,  and 
went  out  not  knowing  whither  he  went  ;"  to 
Moses  who  "  through  f^iith  kept  the  passover 
and  sprinkling  of  blood  ;  who  chose  rather  to 
suffer  affiiction  with-  the  people  of  God  than  to 
enjoy*'  the  luxury  of  an  earthly  court,  or  the 
splendors  of  an  earthly  crown  :  What  is  an 


62  Sermon  2, 

infinitely  more  interesting  consideration,  we 
become  assimulatcd  to  the  holy  Je-ius  who 
considered  it  *'  his  meat  and  drink  to  do  the 
will  of  his  Father  that  sent  him,  and  finish  his 
work." 

But  let  every  reader  of  these  pages  be  ad- 
monished that  in  deliberately  ne^^lecting  these 
ordinances  of  the  Livin^;  God  they  shall  noi, 
ihey  cannot  escape.  ^'  To  them  who  obey 
not  the  truth,  but  obey  unrighteousness  he  will 
render  tribulation  and  anguish.'  Ilr.s  he 
commanded  you  to  read  his  word,  and  can  you 
neglect  it  from  day  to  day  with  impunity  v? 
Has  he  enjoined  you  to  "  pray  Vv'ithout  ceas- 
ing, to  ask  that  it  may  be  given  you,  '  and  do 
you  expect  in  the  omission  of  this  duty  to  es- 
cape his  righteous  indignation  ?  Does  he  re- 
quire you  to  **  remember  the  sabbath  day  and 
keep  it  holy,"  and  in  the  profanation  of  that 
day  by  idleness,  or  amusements,  or  secular 
employments  are  you  not  liable  to  the  stroke 
of  his  avenging  arm  .?  As  citizens  you  could 
not  neglect  your  duty  to  society  without  in- 
jury to  your  character,  and  com. fort,  and  in- 
terest, and  are  the  laws  of  almighty  God  less 
reasonable  in  themselves,  less  righteous  in 
their  sanctions,  or  is  lie  less  able  to  execute 
these  sanctions  upon  tlie  wilful  transgressor  ? 
**  If  I  be  a  Father,  where  is  m.ine  honor  ?  If 
I  be  a  Master,  where  is  my  fear,  saith  the  Lord 
of  hosts?''  '-• 

*'  O  merciful  God,   have  pity  on  thought- 
less, benighted,  deluded  sinners,   and  rouse 


Sermon  2.  ^^ 

them  to  a  sense  of  their  danger  :  In  the  exer- 
cise  of  L^race  infinitely  rich,  thou  hast  provided 
a  S-iviour  for  our  guilty  world,  even  thine  own 
Son  who  has,   by  mueh  sorrow  and  tray.u   of 
sou!  •  by  much  1-nominy  from  earth  ana  heU  , 
throudi  exquisite  agony  inflicted  upon  h.mby 
thine  own  hand,  procured  a  fi.U  redemption  : 
Thou  hast  in  thy  precious  vvord  revealed  clear- 
Iv  thy  will  and  our  duty,  offering  a  free  salva- 
tion, and  declaring  that  thou  hast  no  pleasure 
n  the  death  of  the  wicked,  but  art  rather  de- 
siring that  they  should  repent   and  turn  and 
live  r  Thou  art  raising  up,  and  sending  torth 
men  of  like  passions,  praying  them  to  be  re^ 
conciled  unto  God  :  Wilt  thou  not  accompa- 
ny these  outward  means  nith  the  operations 
of  thy  most  blessed  spirit  effecti^lly  to  apply 
this  great  salvation  :  Rain  down  his  influences 
on  aU  of  every  age  and  character  into  whose 
hands  these  pages  may  come,  that  the  eyes^of 
their   understanding  being  eni.ghtened  the^ 
may  know  what  is  the  hope  ot  toy  ca.ung  and 
^vhat  the.  riches  of  the  glory  oi  thine  inheri- 
tance  among   the  saints  :  May  they   be  all 
nchteous  before  thee  through  the  imputation 
of  .he  r.:.-hteousness  of  thy  dear  Son,  and  ho,y 
through'^  co.»:ant  supply  of  gf.ce  Ij-omhirn 
the  ever-living  Head  :  iiy  their  walking  in  all 
ihv  commandir.ents  and  ordinances  biameless 
may  it  appear  to  the  world,  and  by  the  pledges 
of  thy   love  secretly   comnumicated  to  their 
hearts  may  they  possess  an  inward  assurance 
dv-t  they  are   adopted  into   thy  famny,  aiKl 


64  Sermon  3. 

Iscirs  to  that  kingdom  which  thou  hast  prepa- 
red for  thy  chosen  :  And  to  thee,  Holy  Fa- 
ther, with"  the  infinitely  condescending  Son 
our  Saviour,  and  the  Spirit  cf  ail  grace  shall 
The  glory  be  ascribed  noiv^   and  everlasting- 


SERMON  III. 


A  devout  man^  and  one  that  feared  God  xvilh 
all  his  house ^  which  gave  much  alms  to  the 
people  ;  and p'rayed  to  God  ahvays. 

THE  design  of  this  discourse  is  to  re- 
commend the  important,  3-et  neglected  duty 
of  secret  devotion  ;  and  perhaps  few  passa- 
ges are  more  happily  calculated  to  enforce  it 
than  the  verse  which  I  have  chosen.  Corne- 
lius whose  example  is  here  presented  for  our 
imitation  was  a  centurion,  an  officer  of  consi- 
derable rank  in  the  Roman  army.  It  is  to  be 
lamented  that  gentlemen  of  the  sword  arc  more 
frequently  distinguished  for  their  profiigacy 
than  their  piety  ;  they  are  more  in  the 
habit  of  imprecating  curses  on  themselves 
and  others,  than  importuning  for  blessings. 
The  nature  of  the  soldier's  occupation  tends 
to  inspire  him  with  a  degree  of  hardihood  ; 
with  a  defiance  of  danger  which  often  degen- 
erates into  a  forgetfulness,  and  even  defiance 


Sermon  3.  65 

of  his  God.  His  unsettled  situation  in  life  ; 
his  want  of  the  regular  ordinances  of  grace  ; 
his  exposure  to  ensnaring  company,  and  va- 
rious other  considerations  have  a  natural  ten- 
dency to  divert  his  attention  from  things  di- 
vine and  eternal.  But  the  inspired  historian 
here  presents  to  our  view  a  noble  exception. 
Cornelius  a  cntturion,  an  officer  in  the  Roman 
army,  the  most  illustrious  then  in  the  world, 
was'a  devout  man  ;  he  walked  in  the  fear  of 
Jehovah,  and  was  actuated  by  a  zeal  for  his 
glory  :  He  reflected  that  no  distinction  of  rank, 
no  peculiarity  of  situation  could  noxv  conceal 
him  from  the  eye  of  an  omniscient  God,  nor 
would  hereafter  be  admitted  as  any  apology 
for  impiety  :  He  considered  that  although  the 
splendor  of  talents,  or  fortune,  or  outward  con- 
dition might  dazzle  the  eyes  of  mortals,  "•  the 
Lord  God  looketh  to  the  heart,  and  will  ren- 
der to  every  man,"  whatever  be  his  occupa- 
tion in  life,  "  according  to  his  works." 

He  feared  God  with  all  his  house.  Living 
Godliness  is  communicative  in  its  nature  :  As 
the  opening  rose  difTuses  its  fragrance  through 
the  surrounding  air,  or  as  the  living  fountain 
sends  forth  its  waters  to  refresh  the  neighbor- 
ing ground,  or  as  the  sun  revolving  in  his  or- 
bit sheds  abroad  his  rays  for  enlightening  and 
cheering  the  nations  ;"  so  out  of  the  abun- 
dance ot  his  heart'  the  devout  man  must  be 
occasionally  *'  speaking.''  The  parent  wlio 
truly  fears  God  will  aim  at  infusing  this  prin- 
ciple into  ths  souls  of  his  children,  and  the 
F  2 


66  Sermon  3. 

f?:ocl}y  master  will  recommend  Godliness  to 
hi;5  servants  as  their  duty,  and.  honor,  and 
interest. 

It  is  another  part  of  the  character  of  Corne- 
lius that  \\Q  gave  much  alms  to  the  people.  They 
who  abound  in  acts  of  piety  to  God  usually 
abound  in  acts  of  charity  to  men,  and  the  lat- 
ter is  no  less  necessary  in  its  own  place  for 
evincing  the  sincerity  of  our  profession  llian 
the  former.  That  same  Divine  Teacher  who 
has  commanded  us  '^  to  love  the  Lord  our 
God  v/ithall  our  heart"  has  also  commanded 
"that  we  love  our  neighbor  as  ourselves," 
and  can  our  love  more  disinterestedly  ap- 
pear than  in  prom.oting  his  v/eifare  temporal 
and  spiritual,  as  cur  circumstances  admit,  or 
his  circum.stances  require.  He  who  has  en- 
joined us  to  ''  add  to  cur  faith  viriue,  and 
i:nov.'ledge,and  temperance"  connects  as  links 
in  the  same  golden  chain  "  brotherly  kind- 
ness, and  charity."  Iiideed  we  rarely  read  of 
either  male  or  female  eminent  for  their  attain- 
ments in  holiness  without  finding  a  charita- 
ble disposition  to  constitute  a  prominent  part 
of  their  character.  Zaccheus  immediately  af- 
ter his  conversion  resolves  "  the  half  of  my 
goods  will  I  give  to  the  poor,"  and  the  apos- 
tle "  thanks  God  without  ceasing  in  behalf  of 
the  Thessalonians  because,"  he  adds,  "  your 
faith  groweth  exceedingly,  and  the  charity  of 
every  one  to  each  other  aboundeth." 

Cornelius  is  also  represented  as  praying  to 
God  ahvat/.    We  are  not  to  conclude  from  this 


Sermon    3.  67 

account  that  the  centurion  was  constantly  re- 
tired in  his  closet,  or  that  his  soul  was  always 
elevated  to  his  God  in  acts  of  devotion  :  Nei- 
ther the  frame  of  our  bodies,  nor  the  relations 
which   v/e    sustain    to    our  fatPiilies,    or  the 
church,  or  society,  admit  of  unceasing  atten- 
tion to  the  exercises  of  religion.     There  are 
certain  obligations  binding  upon   us  as  men, 
no  less  than  christians,  and  the  duties  of  nei- 
ther relation  need  by  any  means  interfere  with 
the  duties  of  the  other.    A  man  is  not  obliged 
to  become  *'  slothful  in  business"  who  desires 
to  ''  be  fervent    in  spirit,  serving  the  Lord." 
Diligence  in    our    secular  employments,  and 
attention  to  the  various  duties  of  our  civil  re- 
lations are  highly  ornaniental,  and  when  dis- 
charged   from   proper  motives  will    become 
hand-maids  to  religion.     But  the  expression 
he  prayed  to  God  always  implies  that  he  had 
stated  seasons  for  devotion,    and  that   these 
were  punctually  observed.     **  Thus  in  com- 
mon language  we   say  that  a   tree   is  always 
fruitful   which  yields  its  fruit  at  the  proper 
period  ;  the   sacrifice  which  was  offered  up 
every  morning  and  evening  among  the  Jews 
was  called  the  continual   burnt  offering,  and 
the  Israelites  who  duly  attended  divine  service 
in  the  temple  were  said  to  be  always  there.'' 
To  pray  always  therefore  implies  to  have  sta- 
ted periods  for  the  discharge  of  that  duty. 
But  the  phrase  as  applied  to  Cornelius  proba- 
bly implied  more  than  this  :   We  are  justified 
iu  inferring  from  it  that  his   soul   was  fre- 


68  Sermon  3. 

qiiently  lifted  up  in  silent  supplication  to  the 
throne  of  his  Father,  as  peculiar  circumstan- 
ces required.  Prayers,  secretly  and  suddenly 
offered  up  in  the  moment  of  necessity  are  of- 
ten the  most  successful,  because  they  are  gen- 
erally the  most  uafeij^ned,  and  ardent.  Thus 
Hannah  prayed  in  the  company  of  Eli  and 
others  ;  thus  the  traveller  may  pray  on  his 
journey  ;  the  husbandman  when  emaployed  in 
the  labors  of  the  field,  and  the  soldier  when 
actually  wielding  the  sword  in  battle.  *'  The 
eyes  of  the  Lord  are  always  upon  the  righte- 
ous, and  his  ears  are  open  unto  their  cry," 
and  therefore  in  all  danger  or  distress  they 
may  have  recourse  to  him  for  support.  The 
latter  is  commonly  called  ejaculatory  prayer, 
and  m.ay  be  considered  in  a  certain  degree  as 
grov/ing  cut  of  the  form.er.  The  believer  ge- 
nerally experiences  that  in  proportion  as  he 
is  frequent  and  fervent  in  his  stated  devotions 
he  is  also  frequent  and  fervent  in  his  occa- 
sional devotions  :  The  more  punctual  that  he 
is  in  offering  up  his  sacrifice  morning  and  e- 
vening,  the  more  imponunate  he  will  be  in 
breathing  out  his  soul  in  supplication  amidst 
the  various  pursuits  and  enjoyments  of  the  day. 
I  already  mentioned  it  as  my  design  to  re- 
comimiCnd  on  this  occasion  the  duty  of  secret 
prayer,  and  this  I  would  attempt  by  shewing, 

I.  That  it  is  a  most  reasonable  service,  and 

II.  By  offering  some  arguments  as  an  in» 
ducemcnt  for  all  to  perform  it. 


Sermon  3.  69 

This  duty  must  appear  reasonable  when  we 
consider, 

1.  That  it  is  explicitly  enjoined  by  the  Li~ 
ving  God.  The  very  consideration  that  any 
ordinance  is  sanctioned  by  his  supreme,  sove- 
reign authority  is  a  suilicient  reason  why  it 
should  be  observed  i^^y  us.  He  has  iTistituted 
prayer  as  the  principal  mean  by  which  we 
should  express  our  dependance  on  his  provi- 
dence ;  and  in  the  discharge  of  which  \ve  niv'iy 
expect  all  blessings  from  his  hand.  We  are 
therefore  commrtudcd  '*  to  ask  that  \ye  may 
receive  ;  to  call  on  God  in  the  day  of  trouble ' 
with  the  assurance  that  he  '*  will  deliver  us, 
and  enable  us  to  glorify  him,''  Indeed,  it  ap- 
pears to  be  the  gerieral  arrangement  of  Jeho- 
vah that  every  blessing  in  the  natural  and  mo- 
ral world  is  to  be  obtained  in  the  use  of  ap- 
propriate means.  The  husbandman  who  ex- 
pects his  corn  in  autunin  must  plant  it  in 
spring  :  The  student  Vv'ho  desires  to  encreasc 
in  his  knowledge  of  the  sciences  "must  search 
for  them,"  by  reading  and  reflection,  '*  as  for 
hid  treasures,"  and  he  who  would  receive 
mercy  of  the  Lord  must  expect  it  in  the  use 
of  means  divinely  appointed  for  that  end. — 
Although  the  benefits  of  redemption  are  pure- 
ly of  grace,  purchased  by  the  Divine  Redeem- 
er, and  offered  unconditionally  in  the  gospel, 
yet  we  must  *'  ask  in  order  to  receive  them. 
For  this  I  will  be  enquired  of  by  the  house  of 
Israel  that  I  may  do  it  for  them.  Verily,  ve- 
rily I  say  unto  you,  whatsoever  ye  shall  ask  of 


70  Sermon  3. 

the  Fatiicr  in  my  name  he  will  give  it  yoii." 
No  prayer  inspired  by  the  Holy  Ghost  *'  ma- 
king intercession  in  the  heart,'  and  committed 
to  Jesus  who  makes  intercession  in  heaven 
shall  be  unsuccessful  ;  it  shall  meet  with  a 
gracious  return  either  sooner  or  later.  *'  For 
every  one  that  asketh  receiveth  ;  he  that  seek- 
eth  findeth,  and  to  him  that  knocketh  it  shall 
be  opened.''  But  as  prayer  is  the  ordinary 
mean  by  which  the  blessing  is  to  be  expected, 
the  secret  performance  of  this  duty  is  expli- 
citly enjoined  on  each  individual.  ''  Thou,, 
^vhen  thou  prayest,  enter  into  thy  closet;  and 
when  thou  hast  sliut  thy  doors  upon  thee  pray 
to  thy  Father  which  is  in  secret,  and  thy  Fa- 
ther which  seeth  in  secret  shall  reward  thee 
openly,''  Here  it  is  represented  as  the  duty 
of  all  to  enter  their  closet  ;  to  retire  from  thrj 
view  of  the  world  where  no  eye  sees  but  the 
eye  of  their  heavenly  Father,  and  there  express 
their  wants  to  him  with  this  assurance  "  that 
he  will  reward  them  openly  ;''  he  will  crown 
them  in  the  present  world  with  all  that  is  best 
for  them,  and  hereafter  acknowledge  them  in 
tlie  presence  of  angels  and  of  the  universe. 

2.  This  duty  appears  reasonable  when  we 
realise  our  relation  to  the  Lord  God  as 
our  Creator,  and  Preserver,  and  Redeemer. 
Ke  framed  our  l.cdies  i.o  admirably  nice  in  e- 
very  part  of  their  structure  ;  he  formed  the 
soul  with  its  nobler  endow tTents,  capable  of 
perpetual  advaiicement  in  ..ncwledge,  and 
thus  attaining  to  a  lughci  degree  of  periection 


Sermon  3.  71 

and  bliss.  *'  If  Jehovah  be  thus  a  Father  to 
each  individual  may  he  not  reasonably  claim 
some  tribute  of  nonour."  The  artist  who 
constructs  an  instrument  with  particular  care 
naturally  expects  a  little  advantage  from  it ; 
and  is  it  not  proper  that  he  who  gave  being  to 
man  should  receiv-e  some  expressions  of  our 
homage  ?  But  there  is  another  consideration 
still  encreasing  our  obligation  to  God  which 
perhaps  is  not  sufiiciently  realised,  on  him  we 
constantly  and  necessarily  depend  for  support. 
^'  In  him,''  as  the  apostle  elegantly  expresses 
it,"  in  him  we  live,  and  move,  and  have  our 
being."  Our  creation  at  first  was  not  a  great- 
er miracle  of  his  wisdom,  and  power,  and 
love  than  our  preservation  from  day  to  day. 
It  is  he  who  from  moment  to  moment  imparts 
vigour  to  our  bodies,  who  continues  the  ex- 
ercise of  our  intellectual  powers,  and  from 
the  unexhausted  treasures  of  whose  bounty  all 
our  wants  are  supplied.  Do  we  thus  stand 
related  to  the  Living  God  as  both  creator  and 
preserver,  and  shall  we  refuse  a  portion  of 
each  day  for  holding  comm.union  with  him, 
for  expressing  our  love  to,  our  veneration  for, 
our  delig-ht  in,  and  our  dependance  upon  the 
Greatest  and  the  Best  of  Beings  ;  that  Being 
from  whom  our  all  is  derived  at  present,  and 
to  whose  friendship  we  look  for  all  blessed- 
ness in  time,  and  eternity  to  come  f  Do  Ire- 
quire  his  pov/er  each  moment  for  my  support, 
and  shall  I  not  ask  the  exertion  of  that  power  ? 
Do  I  depend  on  his  bgunty  for  the  supply  of 


72  Sermon  3. 

every  want,   and  shall  I  not  ask  the  effusions 
of  that  bounty  ?  Do  I  need  his  mercy  to  par- 
don innumerable  ofifences,  and  his  patience  to 
bear  with  innumerable  weaknesses,  and  shall 
I  not  ask  the  exercise  of  this  mercy  and  pa- 
tience ?  Secret  prayer  is  thus  an  act  of  hom- 
age due  to  Jehovah  for  his  creating  and  pre- 
serving goodness.    We  are  therefore  instruct- 
ed to  address  him  as  our  Father  i?i  heaven  ; 
not  merely  to  adore  him  as  a  Being  infinitely 
Great,  the  King  Eternal,  Immortal,  and  Invi- 
sible, but  to  acknowledge  him  as  our  Father, 
and  Friend  ;  oftering  thanksgiving  tt)  him  for 
past  privileges,  and  expressing  our  rehance 
on  his  mercy  for  all  that  is  requisite  hereafter, 
3.  This  duty  appears  reasonable,  being  re- 
commended to  us  by  the  example  of  the  right- 
eous amidst  all  circumstances,  and  under  all 
dispensations.     *'  To  which  of  the  saints  can 
we  turn"  who  have  not  esteemed  it  as  equal- 
ly their  duty    and  privilege  to  approach  the 
Father  of  their  spirits  in  acts  of  secret  devo- 
tion, to  acknowledge  their  imperfections,  and 
implore  his  mercy  to  pardon;  to  express  their 
grievances,  and  ask  his  covenant  consolations 
for  their  support;  to  mention  their  wants,  and 
ask  a  supply  from  his  infinite  fulness  ?  "This 
is  the  generation  of  them  that  seek  him  ;  that 
seek  thy  face,  O  Jacob."     Christians  in  the 
most  obscure  situations  of  lite,  and  the  lowest 
attainments  in  grace  have  entered  the  holiest 
of  all  with  boldness,  and  poured   forth  their 
complaints  into  the  ears  of  their  heavenly  Fa- 


Sermon  3.  75 

ther,  while  those  of  the  most  elevated  condi- 
tion, and  the  greatest  advancement  in  the  spi- 
ritual life  have  deemed  it  their  glory  to  bow 
as  suppliants  at  the  mercy- seat,  and  become 
debtors  to  free  grace  for  all.  Behold  the  im- 
portunity of  the  venerable  patriarch  Jacob  : 
He  was  left  alone ^  and  when  sequestered  from 
the  society  of  men,  and  surrounded  with  the 
shades  of  the  night  **  he  wrestled  with  the  an- 
gel;  he  wept  and  made  supplication;''  and 
he  was  not  more  earnest  than  successful. 
"  The  redeeming  Angel  blessed  him  there." 
The  dreary  wilderness  was  converted  into  the 
house  of  God,  and  the  gate  of  heaven.  Who 
would  not  be  importunate  for  a  blessing  thus 
satisfying  and  permanent  ?  Who  would  not 
exchange  the  splendors  of  a  palace  for  a  soli- 
tude so  highly  favored,  or  the  society  of  men 
for  an  interview  thus  intimate  with  the  Father 
of  mercies  and  the  God  of  glory  ?  To  the  ex- 
ample of  Jacob  the  Patriarch  we  may  add  the 
exercises  of  Daniel  the  prophet  as  peculiar- 
ly instructive  for  enforcing  this  duty.  **  He 
kneeled  three  times  a  day,  and  ])rayed,  and 
gave  thanks.*'  He  is  represented  as  giving 
thanks.  Petition  and  thanksgiving  are  very 
properly  connected  in  all  our  approaches  to 
God.  While  we  humbly  expostulate  for  oth- 
er mercies  we  ought  thankfully  to  acknow- 
ledge those  which  we  have  already  received, 
**  Be  careful  for  nothing,  but  in  every  thing 
by  prayer,  and  supplication  let  your  requests 
be  made  known  with  thanksgiving.''  ^/Fhis 


74-  Sermon  3. 

sfrvice  was  performed  by  the  prophet  thrc& 
times  a  day,  and  such  also  was  the  practice  of 
the  royal  David,  *'  Evening,  morning,  and 
at  noon  will  I  pray,  and  cry  aloud,  and  he 
shall  hear  my  voice."  In  the  history  of  Pe- 
ter a  chief  apostle  of  our  Lord  v/e  have  ano- 
ther instructive  example  for  recommending^ 
the  duty  of  prayer.  *'  He  went  up  about  the 
sixth  hour  for  this  exercise,  and  this  fervour 
in  supplication  tohisGod  wasamply  rewarded, 
''  He  saw  the  heavens  opened,  and  under  tlie 
vision  of  a  sheet  widi  all  manner  of  four-foot, 
cd  beasts,  and  fowls  of  the  air"  he  was  admon-r 
ishcd  that  the  distinction  of  meats  was  shortly 
to  be  destroyed,  the  partition  wall  between 
Jew  and  Gentile  broken  down,  and  all  nations 
admitted  to  the  privileges  of  the  church,  But 
this  ordinance  is  recommended  to  us  by  an 
example  infinitely  more  illustrious  than  tliat 
either  of  patriarchs,  or  prophets,  or  apostles  ; 
Our  Lord  and  Saviour  by  his  owu  practice  has 
consecrated  the  exercise  of  prayer  as  both  the 
honor  and  interest  of  his  followers.  Although 
he  had  no  guilt  to  be  pardoned,  no  corruption 
to  be  subdued,  yet  he  w^as  fervent  in  supplir 
cation  for  blessings  upon  others,  and  asking 
the  acceptance  of  his  work  for  the  restoration 
of  our  fallen  world.  He  is  often  represented 
bv  the  sacred  historian  as  going  apart  intq 
some  solitary  place  for  prayer  ;  sometimes  as 
**  rising  up  a  great  while  before  day,"  and  at 
other  times  as  spending  whole  nights  in  tha^ 
cxerc]^^;'   By  a  view  of  the  righteous  in.  all 


Sermo7i  S.  '75 

eifcumstances  and  ages  we  find  them  to  be  a 
generation  seeking  after  God,  and  this  may 
be  considered  as  a  powerful  recommendation 
of  the  dnty  to  us.  If  we  expect  to  be  parta- 
kers of  their  peace,  and  triumph  in  death  ;  and 
their  joys  and  glories  forever,  we  must  walk 
in  life  as  they  also  walked.  We  have  daily 
favours  to  acknowledge  ;  daily  offences  to 
be  forgiven  ;  daily  wants  to  be  supplied  in 
common  with  them,  and  if  we  have  received 
an  unction  from  the  same  spirit  we  will  like 
them  be  giving  ourselves  to  prayer. 

Permit  me  to  add  a  few  arguments  urging 
you  to  frequency,  and  fervour  in  the  duty  of 
supplication. 

1.  It  may  with  propriety  be  pronounced  a 
most  dignified  employment.  "\Ve  feel  our- 
selves honoied  by  being  admitted  into  the 
presence  of  the  great ;  in  associating  familiar- 
ly with  those  whom  we  consider  as  our  superi- 
ors in  rank,  and  by  whose  conversation  we  may 
be  entertained,  and  edified  :  How  great  then, 
unutterably  great  is  the  honour  to  which  the 
christian  is  promoted  on  every  occasion  that 
he  is  permitted  to  approach  the  throne  of  his 
Father:  He  enters  the  '' presence  chamber  * 
of  the  only  wise  God,  the  King  of  kings,  and 
Lord  of  lords  :  He  is  admitted  to  familiar 
communion  with  him  in  whose  presence  an- 
gels bow  with  reverence,  and  the  expressions 
of  whose  love  they  esteem  better  than  life  ; 
a  Being  whose  understanding  is  infinite,  and 
connects  infallibly  his  glory  with  the  eternal 


76  Sermon  3. 

good  of  all  who  confide  in  him  ;  a  Being  whose 
mercies  are  ineffably  tender,  and  extend  from 
everlasting  to  everlasting  upon  them  that  fear 
him  ;  a  Being  who  is  able  to  do  for  us  exceed- 
ing abundantly  beyond  what  we  can  conceive, 
the  stores  of  whose  bounty  are  not  lessened 
by  all  the  blessings  which  he  communicates  : 
Jacob  felt  honored  when  introduced  to  Phara- 
oh the  king  of  Egypt,  and  Danel  when  bro't 
into  the  presence  of  the  Assyrian  monarch, 
how  honorable  then  must  the  christian  appear 
when  in  the  boldness  of  faith  he  approaches 
the  uncreated  majesty  ;  he  addresses  him  not 
with  the  diffidence  which  the  subject  feels  in 
approaching  an  earthly  sovereign,  or  a  ser- 
vant his  master,  but  with  all  that  freedon:i 
which  is  felt  by  one  friend  in  approaching  a- 
nother,  or  which  is  felt  by  a  child  in  drawing 
near  the  most  fond,  indulgent  father. 

2.  As  prayer  is  an  honorable  it  is  a  most 
profitable  exercise.  Every  blessing  tempo- 
ral and  spiritual  is  made  over  in  the  gospel,  as 
their  charter,  to  the  heirs  of  salvation,  and  in 
prayer  they  present  their  draught  for  that  par- 
ticular  blessing  which  their  circumstances 
require.  Wrestling  with  a  holy  fervour 
they  have  often  obtained  direction  in  dark- 
ness, joy  m  sorrow  ;  liberty  in  bondage  : 
inward  peace  when  all  was  gloomy,  and  tem- 
pestuous without  :  they  have  either  obtained 
the  removal  of  som.e  cross  which  appeared  ab- 
solutely insupportable,  or  received  strength 
to  carry  it  comfortably  along  with  the  full  as- 


Sermon  3.  7T 

surance  that  it  would  finally  issue  in  their  ad- 
vantaj^e.  To  relate  all  the  sweet,  transport- 
ing manifestations  of  the  divine  love  which 
have  been  enjoyed  in  the  devotions  of  the  clo- 
set,  all  the  strength  received,  all  the  doubts 
resolved  ;  all  the  conquests  obtained  ;  all  the 
tears  dried  up  would  be  to  give  a  history  of 
the  christian's  experience  in  all  generations. 
One  acknowledges  for  the  encouragement  of 
those  who  should  come  after  him,  ''  I  sought 
the  Lord,  and  he  heard  me,  and  delivered  me 
from  all  my  fears  ;  he  brought  me  up  out  of 
an  horrible  pit,  he  set  my  feet  upon  a  rock,' 
and  established  my  goings  ;  he  put  a  new  song' 
in  my  mouth,  even  praise  to  ourGod."  While 
Jacob  wrestled  with  the  angel  the  obduracy 
of  an  unnatural  brother  was  melted,  SiW^x  the 
forme' ly  implacable  foe  was  changed  into  an 
unfeigned  friend  While  Paul  earnestly 
sought  that  the  thorn  which  luid  long  tortured 
hisfiesh  might departhe  received  in  return  that 
animating  assurance,  *'  my  grace  is  sufficient 
for  thee,"  and  that  fiery  trial  through  the  im- 
portunity of  his  prayer  resulted  in  abundant 
honour  to  his  master,  and  exultation  to  him- 
self. "  Most  gladly  thereibre,"  lie  resolves, 
*'  will  I  rather  glory  in  my  intirmities,  that  the 
power  of  Christ  may  rest  upon  me  :  There- 
fore I  take  pleasure  in  infirmities,  in  reproach- 
es, in  persecutions,  in  distresses  for  Christ's 
sake  ;  for  when  I  am  weak  then  am  I  strong." 
Others  without  number,  amidst  similar  con- 
flicts, have  received  similar  assurances  of  di» 
G  2 


78  Ser'jiwn  3. 

"vine  support  in  answer  to  their  prayers.  They 
have  experienced  in  their  retirements  seasons 
of  joy  which  will  not  be  forgotten  through 
time  ;  nay,  which  they  will  recollect  with  gra- 
titude and  praise  through  the  ages  of  eterni- 
ty. A  Lady  of  eminent  attainments  in  piety 
used  to  declare  that  *^  she  would  not  he  hired 
out  of  her  closet  for  a  thousand  worlds  ;  thac 
she  never  enjoyed  such  hours  of  pleasure,  and 
such  intimate  communion  with  her  God  as 
she  had  then  ;*'  she  often  expressed  her  as- 
tonishment '*  that  any  could  live  without  pray- 
er, and  deprive  themselves  of  one  of  the  great- 
est privileges  allowed  to  men.'' 

3.  As  prayer  is  a  profitable,  it  is  also  a  de- 
lightful employ  m.ent       We  find  it  a  great  re- 
lief in  the  hour  of  perplexity  to  have   a  pru- 
dent, faithful  friend  whom  we  may  approach 
for  counsel,  and  on  whose  fidelity  we  can  rc- 
pose^with  confidence  :  The  child  feels  reliev- 
ed by  telling  its  woes  to  an  affectionate  parent 
or  one   friend  in  communicating  his  sorrows 
to  another.     But  the  relief  to  be  derived  from 
the  duty  of  prayer  is  inconceivably   greater  : 
we   may  in  this  exercise  approach  our  heav- 
enly  Father  with  the  most   unrestrained  free- 
dom, *'  and  cast  all  our  cares  upon  him  ; '  we 
may  relate  concerns  to  him  which  we  should 
feel  ashamed  to  mention,  or  afraid  to  entrust 
with  the  most  confidential  friend  upon  earth  ; 
and  this  familiarity  may  be  used  with  the  ful- 
lest assurance  of  being  accepted.  **  The  right- 
eous cry,  and  the  Lord  heareth,  and  deliver- 


Sermon  3.  79 

eth  them  out  of  all  their  troubles.  Shall  not 
God  avenge  his  own  elect  which  cry  clay  and 
night  unto  him ;  though  he  bear  long  with 
them  :  I  tell  you,8aiih  the  faithful  witness,  he 
will  avenge  tlicm  speedily."  'J'here  is  no  trou- 
ble the  most  inconsiderable  which  disturbs 
our  peace  ;  no  concern  whether  relating  to 
ourselves  or  families,  which  we  may  not  with- 
out reserve  make  known  to  a  reconciled,  gra- 
cious God,  and  the  more  freedom  that  we  ex- 
ercise in  asking  hisadviceoraid,  he  is  the  more 
pleased  :  And  he  will  either  remove  the  bur- 
den which  is  humbly  cast  upon  him,  or  sup- 
port us  under  it  '*  In  all  their  afflictions  he  is 
afflicted."  Nothing  which  troubles  and  per- 
plexes them,  however  trifiing,  is  beneath  his 
attention,  neither  shall  they  sink  under  the 
pressure  of  any  cross  however  great  while  om- 
nipotence is  their  support.  He  who  counts 
the  very  hjirs  of  their  heads,  and  puts  their 
tears  into  his  bottle  will  not  refuse  a  listening 
ear  to  any  complaint  which  they  carry  to 
him.  Is  it  possible  for  a  gracious  God  to  have 
employed  language  more  aiTectionate,  encou- 
r  iging  us  to  come  boldly  to  his  throne,  or  to 
have  given  stronger  assurances  that  our  peti- 
tions shall  be  heard  P  **He  will  regard  the  pray- 
er of  the  destitute,  and  not  despise  their  pray- 
er. If  ye  then  being  evil  know  how  to  give 
good  gifts  to  vour  children  ;  how  much  more 
shall  your  heavenly  Father  give  the  holy  Spi- 
rit unto  them  that  ask  him  ?'* 

Is  such  the  reasonableness  of  the  duty  of 


80  Sermon  3. 

prayer  and  are   such  the  pleasures,  and   ad- 
varitaeTs  arising  from  the  discharge  of  it, 

1.  We  may  infer  how  inexcuseable  they 
are  who  live  habitually  in  the  neglect  of  this 
ordinance  ?  Tlicy  manifest  a  contempt  of  that 
wisdom  which  has  appointed  prayer  as  the 
great  mean  of  our  communion  with  Jehovah, 
and  of  that  auihority  which  cnjoir.s  us  to 
**  pray  without  ceasing,  to  ask  that  it  may  be 
given  us:''  They  are  chargeable  also  with 
slighting  th.at  bounty  \^hich  has  made  ample 
provision  for  our  spiritual  wants,  and  that 
condescension  v.hich  h.as  assured  us  that  these 
blessings  shaJl  be  communicated  to  those  vvho= 
diligently  se^k  them  :  To  all  this  impiety  a- 
gainst  God  the  person  who  lives  habitually 
without  prayer  discovers  a  most  criminal  in- 
dinerence  to  his  own  everlasting  interests. 
Suppose  that  a  rich  man  should  approach  a 
number  who  were  suflering  with  hunger,  and 
express  compassion  for  their  misery  ;  suppose 
that  he  should  condescend  to  assure  them  that 
he  had  bread  enough,  and  to  spare  ;  that  he 
GGuld  abundantly  supply  their  wants  without 
materially  dim.inishing  the  stock,  or  injuring 
his  o^vn  interest ;  that  he  invited  each  or  all  of 
them  at  any  time  to  acquaint  him  with  their 
wants,  and  a  liberal  supply  should  be  aiTord- 
ed,  and  they,  notwithstanding,  through  a  con-^ 
tempt  of  his  generosity  or  an  utter  regardltss- 
nes-s  of  their  own  welfare  rcfubcd  :  ivJust  we 
not  stand  amazed  at  their  stupidity  without 
dropping  a  tear  over  their  uiisery  ?  But  m- 


Sermon  3.  81 

comparably  greater  is  the  stupidity  of  those 
who  refuse  to  arise,  and  seek  after  God.  Is 
he  not  known  ^^t  he  hearer  of  prayer  ?  '*  This 
is  his  nanie  forever  ;  it  is  his  memorial  unto 
all  generations/'  Has  he  not  in  the  riches  of 
his  grace  made  provision  for  our  perishing 
world,  and  does  he  not  offer  out  of  this  ful- 
ness to  dispense  freely  to  those  who  ask  ?  It 
is  really  difficult  to  determine  whether  the 
prayerless  person  is  chargeable  with  pouring 
the  greatest  contempt  on  the  divine  mercy, 
or  shewing  the  greatest  cruelty  to  himself. 
The  Lord  God  has  declared  that  *'  except 
we  repent  we  must  perish,"  yet  he  will  not 
ask  the  grace  of  repentance  :  The  Lord  God 
has  declared,  '*  cursed  is  every  one  that  con- 
tinueth  not  in  all  things  which  are  written  in 
the  book  of  the  law  todo  them,"  yet  although 
conscious  of  innumerable  transgressions  he 
refuses  to  ask  remission. 

Various  pretentions  are  offered  as  an  apol- 
ogy for  the  omission  of  this  duty.  Some  at- 
tempt to  excuse  themsslves  by  the  considera- 
tion that  **  the  sacrifice  of  the  wicked  is  an  a- 
bomination  to  the  Lord,"  and  they  are  there- 
fore afraid  that  their  prayers  might  be  reject- 
ed. But  I  would  ask  those  who  raise  this  ob- 
jection, is  there  no  abomination  in  not  sacri- 
ficing when  the  Living  God  has  required  it  ? 
Surely  if  itis  offensive  to  the  purity  of  Jehovah 
not  to  obey  his  command  in  a  proper  manner, 
it  must  be  at  least  as  offensive  to  his  majes- 
ty to  make  no  attempt    to  obey.     A  parent 


S2  Sermon  3. 

will  be  more  disposed  to  excuse  a  child  \vha 
failed  in  the  performance  of  any  sTrvice  requi- 
red, than  one  who  through  indolence  or  ob- 
stinacy did  not  even  attempt  to  perform  it* 
As  therefore  you  love  your  souls,  as  you 
would  consult  your  true  peace  either  in  life, 
or  in  death  silence  all  these  reasonings  of  the 
flesh,  and  **  seek  the  Lord  while  he  mav  be 
foujid."  Approach  the  throne  of  his  mercy 
and  supplicate  in  the  following  manne^  *'  I 
acknowledge,  blessed  Father,  that  although 
thou  art  infinitely  glorious  in  thyself,  nay,  the 
fountain  of  perfection,  and  excellence  ;  al- 
though thou  hast  done  much  for  our  world  in 
sending  thine  ovvn'Son  to  become  a  propitia* 
tion  for  our  sins,  and  much  for  me  by  giving 
thy  word,  and  every  mean  of  salvation,  yet 
my  heart  is  enmity  against  thee,  aind  thine  or- 
dinances  :  it  has  never  been  awed  into  obe- 
dience by  all  the  displays  of  thy  greatness, 
nor  melted  into  contrition  by  the  many  ex- 
pressions of  thy  love  ;  I  have  long  lived  at  a 
distance  from  thee  the  source  of  light,  and 
love,  and  joy  :  I  have  not  taken  pleasure  in 
perusing  thy  most  precious  word,  in  medita- 
ting on  thy  perfections,  or  calling  upon  thy 
name  by  prayer,  but  I  am  now  convinced 
both  of  the  guilt,  and  folly  of  my  former  ways, 
I  know  that  thy  favour  is  life,  and  that  all 
who  are  far  from  thee  shall  perish.  O  send 
down  thy  sanctifying  Spirit  to  soften  this  en- 
mity, and  shed  thy  love  abroad  through  my 
heart;  thuu  didst  subdue  to  the  obedience  of 


Sermon^.  8gc, 

faith  thousands  ofthe  unbelieving,  impenitent 
Jews,  the  betrayers  and  murderers  of  thy  dear 
^on^  and  is  not  thy  mercy  yet  as  plente- 
ous to  pardon,  and  thy  grace  as  powerful 
to  soften,  and  subdue?  Lord,  be  merci. 
ful  to  me,  a  sinner  :  I  bring  mine  understand- 
ing with  all  its  darkness  to  be  enlightened  by 
thee,  and  taught  the  truth  as  it  is  in  Jesus  ;  I 
bring  my  will  with  all  its  obduracy  to  be  sub- 
dued, and  made  to  acquiesce  with  thy  holy 
and  gracious  will :  Thou  Son  of  David  have 
mercy  upon  me  ;  let  thy  compassion  move  at 
my  miseries,  and  th}^  healing  balm  be  admi^ 
nistcred  to  my  complicated,  desperate  diseas- 
es :  I  throw  myself  on  thy  sovereign,  unme* 
rited  mercy,  and  am  willing  to  become  noth- 
ing both  now  and  forever  that  thy  free  grace 
may  appearallandall  in  every  partofmysalva-r 
tion  :  thou  fountain  of  light  shine  graciously 
on  my  benighted  heart  and  give  me  some 
transporting  discoveries  of  thy  glory  :  Thou 
fountain  of  love  impart  to  my  thirsty  soul  re- 
freshing communications  of  thy  love, and  raise 
my  affections  from  the  sorded,  unsatisfying 
pleasures  of  this  passing  world :  Fill  me 
from  this  hour  v.ith  all  joy  and  peace  in  be^ 
lieving  ihat  I  may  abound  in  hope  by  the  pow- 
er of  the  Holy  Ghost,  ' 

2.  Let  those  whohave  experienced  the  plea- 
sures, and  the  advantages  ofthe  devotions  of 
the  closet  be  exhorted  to  abound  more  and 
more  in  this  exercise.  Prayer  has  ever  been 
C9n^jdcred.a  p?;incipal   mean  of  our  comma- 


84  Sermon  3. 

nion  with  Jehovah,  and  this  communion  must 
be  commenced  on  earth  if  we  expect  that  it 
"will  be  perfected  in  heaven.  Let  no  pressure 
of  worldly  business  be  deemed  a  sufficient  a- 
pology  for  the  neglect,  or  careless  perform- 
ance of  your  devotions  morning  and  evening. 
Immediately  after  you  awake  from  the  repose 
of  the  night,  before  your  minds  are  distracted 
with  the  cares,  or  your  hands  occupied  with 
the  labors  of  the  day  appropriate  a  little  time 
for  conversing  with  the  Father  of  Spirits,  and 
humbly  committing  yourselves  to  his  protec- 
tion through  the  day  ;  take  a  view  of  the  du- 
ties which  you  may  probably  be  called  to 
discharge,  or  the  difficulties  to  be  encounter- 
ed, or  the  temptations  to  be  resisted  and  then 
expostulate  for  the  sympathy  and  support  of 
your  Master  throughout  the  whole.  Many 
christians  can  attest  from  long,  and  repeated 
experience  that  they  have  been  supported  un- 
der every  trial,  and  prospered  in  every  pur- 
suit  just  in  proportion  as  they  were  enabled  to 
begin  the  day  with  a  humble  reliance  on  the 
Lord.  '*  In  all  thy  ways  acknowledge  him, 
and  he  shall  direct  thy  paths.  They  that  trust 
in  the  Lord  are  like  mount  Zion  which  cannot 
be  removed,  but  abideth  forever.  Commit 
thy  way  to  the  I^ord  ;  trust  also  in  him,  and 
he  shall  bring  it  to  pass."  These  are  the  pro- 
mises of  a  covenanting  God,  and  they  have 
been  realized  times  without  number  in  the  ex- 
perience  of  his  children.  The  most  trifling 
disappointment  has  frequently  unhinged  tlien^ 


■Sermon  5.  85. 

when  relying  on  theirown  wisdom, or  strength, 
while  on  the  other  hand  the  heaviest  cross  has 
been  easily  borne  along  when  their  confidence 
was  placed  on  the  sufficiency  of  Jehovah  for 
support.  In  the  one  instance  they  have  '^  been 
wearied  in  the  land  of  peace/'  while  relying 
on  an  Almighty  arm  by  the  prayer  of  faith 
""  they  have  easily  surmounted  the  swelling 
of  Jordan."  Stir  up  your  souls  therefore  by 
frequent  contemplations  of  your  own  weak- 
ness, and  the  plenitude  of  promised  grace  to 
a  holy  importunity  in  this  duty.  Upon  no 
occasion  venture  forward  to  your  secular  em- 
ployments without  reading  some  particular 
portions  of  scripture,  and  afterwards  commit- 
ting yourselves  to  the  divine  direction  by  sup- 
plication. It  is  unreasonable  to  object  that 
such  is  the  poverty  of  your  lot,  or,  such  the 
pressure  of  worldly  business  that  you  have 
not  opportunity  for  the  exercises  of  religion. 
You  can  easily  find  leisure  for  every  thing 
that  involves  your  temporal  prosperity  orcom- 
fort  :  You  find  leisure  for  eating  when  nature 
requires  nourishment  ;  you  find  leisure  for 
dressing  your  bodies  when  you  wish  to  go  a- 
broad,  and  make  a  decent  appearance  among 
men  ;  you  find  leisure  for  sitting  and  conver- 
sing with  a  friend  who  occasionally  calls  to 
visit  you  ;  and  is  the  living  God,  who  crea- 
ted you,  who  sustains  you  from  hourto  hour  ; 
who  is  constantly  "  crowning  you  with  lov- 
ing kindness,  and  tender  mercies"  the  only 
friend  to  whose  call  you  cannot  attend,  orar'c 

H 


86  Seniion  3, 

the  interests  of  your  souls  and  eternity  the  only 
concerns  which  may  lie  neglected  ?  Oh,  bre- 
thren, if  there  be  any  conj-:olation  in  Christ  ; 
any  reality  in  the  fellowship  of  his  love  "  be 
not  henceforth  slothful  in  business,  but  fer- 
vent in  spirit,  serving  the  Lord."'  Hou-  may 
we  sink  in  humiliation  when  we  consider  the 
importunity  to  which  others  have  attained  in 
ihe  duty  of  prayer  wrestling  two,  or  four,  or 
six  hours  in  the  twenty-four  with  the  Livings 
God,  and  how  may  we  deplore  our  own  loss 
v.'hen  we  recollect  the  advantages  which  they 
have  derived  from  this  exercise  ?  At  the 
throne  of  their  Father  they  have  often  receive 
ed  *'  the  oil  of  joy  for  mourning,  and  the  gar- 
ment of  praise  for  the  spirit  of  heaviness." 
Employed  in  pouring  out  their  souls  before 
him  in  devout  supplication  they  have  felt  se- 
cure amidst  all  the  storm.s  of  life  ;  they  have 
experienced  *'  a  peace  which  passeth  all  un- 
derstanding ;"  uhich  the  highest  earthly  pros- 
perity could  not  impart,  and  which  all  the 
shocks  of  adversity  could  not  runle.  ''  This 
poor  man  cried,  and  the  Lord  heard  him,  and 
saved  him  out  of  all  his  troubles."  And  the 
same  prayers  which  issue  in  the  peace  and 
profit  of  his  own  soul,  may  descend  in  show- 
ers of  blessing  on  his  family,  on  the  congre^ 
gation  with  which  he  is  connected,  and  on  the 
church  throughout  the  world. 

''  Ye  that  make  mention  of  the  Lord  keep 
iiot  silence  :  And  give  him  no  rest  till  he  es- 
tablish, and  till  he  make  Jerusalem  a  praise 
in  the  earth.'*     Amen. 


S£RiVION  IV. 

*♦■ 
ACTS,  xvii.  11. 

^hese  were  more  noble  than  those  in  Thessalo- 
nica  in  that  they — searched  the  scriptures 
daily. 

THESSALONICA,  which  is  here 
noticed  by  the  Evangelist,  was  the  chief  city 
of  Macedonia,  and  celebrated  for  its  com- 
merce, and  wealth,  and  luxury.  There  a 
church  was  planted  by  Paul  at  an  early  peri« 
od  of  his  ministry,  to  which  as  is  generally 
supposed  his  two  first  epistles  were  addressed. 
Berea  to  which  the  apostle  repaired  after  his 
departure  from  Thessalonica  was  also  a  city 
of  Macedonia,  but  inferior  to  the  other  in  ex- 
tent, and  i  opulation,  and  splendor  :  Yet  the 
citizens  of  Berea  were  pronounced  more  no- 
ble than  those  i;i  Thessalonica  :  '*  The  Lord 
God  seeth  not  as  man  seeth,  for  man  looketh 
on  the  outward  appearance,"  on  the  dress,  the 
address,  and  other  external  accomplishments 
and  advantages,  ''  but  the  Lord  looketh  on 
the  heart ;  he  notices  whether  it  be  humble, 
and  contrite,  and  spiritual  ;  He  esteems  his 
own  image  impressed  on  the  soul,  and  ap- 
pearing in  the  general  behaviour,  infinitely 
more  than  all  the  endowments  either  of  learn- 
ing, or  wealth  :  Lazarus  with  the  divine  love 
shed  abroad  in  his  heart  by  the  Holy  Ghost, 
although  exposed  in  the  open  street,  and  o- 


SS  Sermon  4. 

bliged  to  ask  his  brcr.d  from  door  to  door,  is 
beheld  with  complacence  by  angels,  nnd  the 
God  of  angels  while  the  r.ich  man,  swelling 
with  pride,  although  clothed  in  purple,  and 
occupying  a  palact;  is  regarded  with  indigna- 
tion, and  scorn — An  individual,  or  a  family, 
or  a  city  rises  in  the  estimation  of  God  in  pro- 
portion as  they  obey  his  commandments,  and 
act  for  his  glory.  ''  Them  that  honour  me  I 
will  honour,  but  they  that  despise  me  shall 
be  lightly  esteemed  "  The  Berenns  were 
therefore  reckoned  **  more  noble  than  those 
inThessalonica  in  that  they  searched  the  scrip, 
tures  daily.** 

Secret  prayer,  on  a  late  occasion,  was  re- 
commended to  you  as  a  reasonable  and  profit- 
able service.  It  is  designed  at  present  to  en- 
force the  reading  of  the  sacred  oracles  as  an 
ordinance  no  less  important,  and  an  ordinance 
encumbent  on  each  individual.  Indeed  these 
two  duties  are  very  properly  connected.  In 
prayer  we  converse  with  God,  and  wlnle  we 
search  the  scriptures  we  hear  him  conversing 
wdth  us :  In  the  former  exercise  we  familiar- 
ly make  known  to  him  our  fears,  our  desires, 
our  hopes,  and  in  the  latter  he  communicates 
to  us  his  pleasure  and  purposes  concerning  us 
both  in  time  and  eternity  :  As  example  is 
usually  more  impressive  than  precept  the  part 
of  sacred  history  which  I  have  chosen  must 
be  considered  as  peculiarly  appropriate  for  re- 
commending to  our  attention  the  scriptures  of 
truth.     The  citizens  of  Berea  are  represent^ 


Sermon  4..  8^ 

ed  as  patterns  for  our  imitation,  and  the  Lord 
grant  that  in  contemplating  their  conduct  we 
mav  be  excited  to  become  followers  of  tlose 
who  through  faith,  and  patience  do  now  in- 
herit the  promises.  The  righteous  then  no 
less  than  the  righteous  woti;  were  afflicted  with 
a  body  of  sin  often  tempting  to  the  omission 
of  duty  ;  they  no  less  than  ive  were  cucum- 
bered  with  family  cares,  and  involved  in  the 
various  pursuits  of  the  world  ;  yet  amidst  all 
these  temptations,  and  discouragements  they 
persevered  "  in  searching  the  scriptures  dai- 
ly," and  their  labor  of  piety  was  not  in  ^?ain 
for  the  Lord  God  expresses  his  approbation 
by  pronouncing  them  more  noble  than  others. 
"  His  eyes  are  always  upon  the  righteous  :*' 
He  knows  the  person  by  whom  his  oracles 
are  read,  and  the  house  where  his  throne  is 
addressed  by  prayer,  and  over  such  be  vvatch^ 
es  with  peculiar  concern,  and  afiection.. 

May  a  portion  of  that  same  unction  by 
which  the  living  oracles  were  originally  in- 
spired descend  on  you  and  me  while  I  attempt 
to  give  some  general  directions  for  their  pro- 
fitable perusal. 

1.  k  is  proper  to  search:  the  whole  scrip- 
tures, bath  \\\Q  old  testame'nt  and  the  new. 
We  are  not  to  conclude  that  the  use  of  tlvc 
former  scriptures  has  ceased  since  the  writings 
of  the  evangelists,  and  apostles  are  finished. 
They  were  all  written  by  men  under  the  imp 
pulse,  the  infallible  direction  of  the  Holy 
Ohast,  and  therefore  out  of  rcsnect  to  their 
Ji.  2 


90'  •       Sermoji  4. 

Author  they  ought  all  to  be  read.  These  two 
parts  of  divine  revelation  are  intimately  con- 
nected, and  interwoven  with  each  other  ;  they 
are  both  necessary  for  forming  one  perfect 
whole,  one  complete  system  of  doctrine,  and 
duty.  The  old  testament  presents  to  our 
view  the  type,  and  the  new  exhibits  the  anti- 
type ;  the  former  contains  various  prophecies 
and  promises  relative  to  Messiah,  and  his  un- 
dertaking, and  offices,  the  latter  represents, 
these  as  literally  accomplished  in  the  coming, 
and  siiiferings,  and  ascension  of  the  Word 
made  flesh  :  And  therefore  we  cannot  omit 
the  use  of  either  v/ithout  lessening  the  evi- 
dence, and  obscuring  the  glory  of  the  other^ 
As  a  mean  of  recommending  revealed  truth 
in  all  its  parts,  and  exciting  us  conscientious- 
ly to  improve  it,  one  apostle  declares,  *'  that 
prophecy  came  not  in  old  time,"  under  the 
former  dispensation,  "  by  the  will  of  man,  but 
holy  men  of  God  spake  as  they  were  moved 
by  the  Holy  Ghost ;"  and  another  apostle  as- 
serts that  ''  all  scripture  is  given  by  inspira- 
tion of  God,  and  is  profitable  for  doctrine,  for 
reproof,  for  correction,  for  instruction  in  righ- 
teousness ;  that  the  m>an  of  God  may  be  per- 
fect, thoroughly  furnished  unto  all  good 
works.*'  The  wisdom  and  condescension  of 
God  eminently  appear  in  the  great  variety 
of  his  word,  and  in  thus  furnishing  a  system 
for  the  admonition  and  consolation  of  his  chil- 
dren in  every  possible  circumstance.  Some 
parts,  of  it  are  obscure  which  readers  of  the 


Sermon  4.  91 

greatest  leisure,  of  the  most  profound  genius^ 
and  extensive  learning  may  spend  their  time 
and  talents  in  attempting  to  explore  :   Other 
parts,  again,  and  those  which  most  intimately 
concern  the  welfare  of  all,  are  easily  under- 
stood ,  obvious  at  the  first   view,  and  to  the 
lowest   capacity.     In  the   historical  parts  of 
scripture  we  see  the  church  for  her  apostacies 
plunged  in  the  depths  of  adversity  ;  scourged 
alternately  with  the  sword,    and  famine,  and 
pestilence  as  the  rod  of  divine  wrath,  and  we 
are  thai  ad.aonished  ''  to  walk  humbly  before 
our  God  ;'  we  are  taught  that  although  '*  he 
pardons  the  iniquities  of  his  people  he   will 
take  vcnj^eance  on  their  inventions;  '  Again, 
we  behold  him,  upon  her  repentance,  season- 
ably interposing  for   her  deliverance,  and  we 
are  ihu>   encouraged    not  to  mourn  in    the 
hour  of  adversity  as  those  who  have  no  hope  ; 
that  aliriou-ii   '*  in  a  little   wiath  a  righteous 
Father  ma v  r  ide  his  face  from  us  yet  with  e- 
verlastinn;' I'ving  kindness  he  will  have  mercy 
upon  us.    Tne  psalms  of  David  present  the  mi- 
litant iitiiever  mall  the  diversity  of  his  exerci- 
ses and  fKjaes.     We  find  that  royal  saint  re- 
joi^iing  iit  one  moment  in  the  light  of  his  Fa- 
the -'s  counienar.e,  erKJoyingthe  full  assurance 
of  his   iovc,  aud  experiencing  the  foretastes 
oi  endless  pleasure  at  his  right  hand  :  Again, 
we   behold    him   involved   in  darkness,  and 
doubt ;  apprehending   that  **  the    Lord  had 
forgotten  to  be  gracious,  and  that  his  mercy 
was  clean  gone  forever.''    We  learn  from  this 


i^  Sermon  4. 

TunQty  of  his  frames  that  unclouded  light,xind 
nnmingled  joy  aie  not  to  be  expected  in  the 
present  world.  The  Iiistory  of  Job  presents 
in  a  very  interesting  view  the  precariousness 
of  all  earthly  enjoyments  :  we  see  this  saint  of 
the  most  High  suddenly  falling  from  the  very 
summit  of  earthly  prosperity  to  the  depths  of 
adversity,  stripped  at  once  of  his  health,  his 
children,  and  property,  and  we  are  admonish- 
ed by  this  fact  not  to  place  our  confidence  ii> 
any  created  good  ;  we  behold  him,  again,  af- 
ter the  trial  of  his  faith  and  patience  restored 
to  his  former  prosperous  condition,  and  we 
are  thereby  instructed  not  to  despond  in  the 
season  of  aiiTiction ;  that  however  dark  the  cloud 
which  now  hangs  over  us,  the  sun  of  prospe- 
rity and  health  mav  suddenly  beam  forth.  In 
the  gospels  and  epistles  there  is  a  clear  exlii  - 
bition  of  Jesus  of  Nazareth  in  the  merit  of  his 
cross,  and  in  the  fulness  and  freedom  of  his 
covenant  for  the  salvation  nf  all  who  improve 
him.  I  might  thus  consider  the  various  parts 
of  divine  revelation,  and  shew  that  each  pos- 
sesses some  peculiar  excellence  ;  that  they 
are  all  worthy  of  our  cordial  acceptation,  and 
diligent  perusal.  It  was  the  observation  of 
a  pious  experimental  divine*  of  a  former  age 
that  **  although  one  star  in  the  firmament  of 
tlie  scriptures  differs  from  another  star  in  glo- 
ry, yet  w^henever  God  speaks  we  should  hear, 
and  the  diligent  searcher  will  find  much  ex- 
cellent matter  in  the  parts  of  scripture  whicK 
*  Mr,  P.  Henry,  j)agt  70. 


Sermon  4.  93 

we  sometimes  think  might  have  been  spared.'* 
And  a  h\te  very  profitable  writer^  remarks, 
*'  I  know  not  a  better  rule  for  reading  the  bi- 
ble than  to  read  it  through  from  beginning  to 
end,  and  when  we  have  finished  it  once  to  be- 
gin again.  We  shall  meet  with  many  passa- 
ges that  we  can  make  little  improvement  of, 
but  not  so  many  in  the  second  reading  as  in 
the  first,  and  fewer  in  the  third  than  in  the 
second. ' 

2.  The  scriptures  ought  to  be  read  with  all 
humility  of  spirit;  with  a  sincere  disposition 
to  believe  whatever  they  reveal,  and  to  obey 
whatever  they  require.  Man  through  the 
pride  of  his  heart  often  searchesthe  scriptures 
rather  as  a  critic  to  cavil  than  as  a  sinner  wha 
earnestly  desires  to  become  wise  unto  salva- 
tion ;  he  is  disposed  presumptuously  to  ar- 
raign them  before  the  bar  of  his  own  vitiated 
reason,  and  sit  in  judgment  on  their  language, 
their  arrangement,  or  sentiment  instead  of 
prostrating  his  own  reason  before  this  bar  as 
the  truth  of  Jehovah  by  which  he  must  be  fi- 
nally judged.  This  presumptuousness,  this 
self-sufiiciency  of  heart  is  peculiarly  offensive 
to  the  gracious  Spirit,  and  publicans,  and 
harlots  will  sooner  receive  saving  advantage 
from  the  scriptures  than  such  readers.  ^'  The 
Lord  God  resisteth  the  proud,  but  giveth 
grace  to  the  lowly.''  It  becomes  us  to  open 
the  sacred  volume  with  all  the  simplicity  of 
children  ;  to  consider  our  own  insignificancQ 
*  John  Newton,  vol,  $.  p.  41  i<.  Lon,  ecU 


94  Sermon  4. 

as  creatures,  and  more  especially  our  untvbf.* 
thiness  as  sinners  ;  to  realise  the  perfections 
of  thalGod  by  whose  inspiration  the  scriptures 
we:  e  written,  and  then  reflect  that  whatever 
he  teaches  must  be  triie^  and  whatever  he 
commands  must  be  right.  This  was  the  tem- 
per which  the  apostle  so  highly  recommends 
in  the  Bereans.  **  They  received  the  word 
with  all  readiness  of  mind;"  they  regarded 
the  authority  of  God  as  the  highest  possible  e- 
vidence  for  the  truth  of  any  doctrine,  and 
therefore  that  it  was  their  duty,  and  glory  to 
subject  their  reason  to  his  revelations.  This 
same  humility  of  mind  he  most  honorably  no- 
tices in  his  epistle  to  the  Thessalonians  ;  **  For 
this  cause  also  thank  we  God  without  c  easing^, 
because  when  ye  received  the  word  of  God 
which  ye  heard  of  us,  ye  received  it  not  as 
the  word  of  man,  but  as  it  is  in  truth  the  wo  d 
of  God  which  effectually  worketh  in  you  that 
believe.'^ 

3.  The  scriptures  ought  to  be  read  with 
fervent  prayer  to  the  Divine  Spirit  for  his  in* 
EuenCes  to  enlighten  our  understandings,  and 
enable  us  savingly  to  comprehend  them.  No 
truth  is  more  obvious  from  the  word  of  God, 
and  universal  observation  than  the  insufficien- 
cy of  all  means  without  his  energies  accom- 
panying them.  **  Every  good  gift,  and  every 
perfect  gift  is  from  above,  and  comet h  down 
from  the  Father  of  lights."  "•  Without  his 
powerful  agency,''  as  an  evangelic,  elegant  au* 


Sermon  4.  95 

thor*  expresses  it,  *'  to  enlighten  our  under- 
standings, and  apply  the  doctrines  of  the  bi- 
ble to  our  hearts,  we  shall  be  even  with  tie 
word  of  light  and  life  in  our  hands  as  blind 
Bartinieus  sitting  amidst  the  beams  of  day,  or 
like  the  withered  arm  with  some  valuable 
treasures  before  it."  The  bible  is  indeed 
compared  to  a  lamp,  but  a  lamp  affords  neither 
pleasure  nor  profit  to  him  who  has  not  eyes 
to  discern  and  follow  its  light,  so  the  eyes  of 
the  understanding  must  be  opened  before  we 
are  capable  of  beholding  with  comfort  and  ad- 
vantage this  light  shining  in  our  benighted 
^vorld.  *'  The  natural  man  receiveth  not  the 
things  of  tiie  Spirit  of  God  ;  they  are  foolish, 
ness  to  him,''  as  the  doctrine  of  sounds  ap- 
pears foolishness  to  him  who  is  deaf,or  as  the 
doctrine  of  colours  appears  foolishness  to  him 
who  is  blind,  "  neither  can  he  know  them,  be- 
cause they  are  spiritually  discerned,"  discover- 
ed by  the  almighty  operations  of  the  Lord  the 
Spirit,  This  is  a  truth  which  ought  never  to 
be  forgotten  when  we  open  the  volume  of  re- 
velation, that  it  will  be  profitable  either  for  re- 
proof, or  consolation,  only  as  our  understand, 
ings  are  illuminated  to  comprehend  it.  With 
what  importunity  of  soul  did  the  holy  David 
supplicate  for  this  divine  influence  while  he 
searched  the  scriptures,  "  Open  thou  mine 
eyes  to  behold  wondrous  things  out  of  thy 
]a\\'  ;  a  train  of  wonders  the  most  sublime, 
and  interesting  it  does  indeed  contain  ;  here 
The  Rev  J.  Hervev. 


90  Sermo7i  4. 

thy  love  illustriously  shines  in  providing  a 
Saviour  for  our  guilty  world,  thy  sovereignty 
is  displayed  in  accepting  from  the  Surety  that 
satisfaction  which  thou  mightest  have  deman- 
ded from  the  sinner,  thy  long  suffering  in  bear- 
ing with  us  amidst  the  most  criminal  misim- 
provement  of  privileges,  but  all  these  ^^on- 
ders  without  illumination  from  on  high  must 
remain  uninteresting  to  me  as  the  harmony  of 
sounds  to  him  who  is  deaf,  or  as  the  most  de- 
licious meats  to  him  whose  palate  is  vitiated 
and  incapable  of  relishing  them.  '*  If  any  man 
lack  wisdom,"  if  he  would  possess  that  know- 
ledge of  divine  things  which  is  pure  ^nd  peace- 
able, w^hich  is  the  effect  of  grace  here,  and  the 
earnest  of  glory  hereafter,  '*  let  him  ask  of 
God  who  giveth  to  all  men  liberally  and  up- 
braideth  none,  and  it  shall  be  granted  him.'' 

4.  The  oracles  of  God  ought  to  be  read  by 
all  who  are  capable  of  reading  them.  Search 
the  scriptures,  is  the  positive  command,  and 
binds  to  that  duty  persons  of  every  age  and 
situation  who  have  access  to  the  sacred  vo- 
lume, and  have  the  capacity  of  perusing  it. — 
The  sinner  ought  diligently  to  read  the  scrip, 
tures  as  an  ordinance  appointed  of  Jehovah 
for  his  instruction  and  conversion.  **  The  law 
of  the  Lord  is  perfect  converting  the  soul  ; 
the  testimonies  of  the  Lord  are  sure  making 
wise  the  simple  ;  the  commandment  of  the 
Lord  is  pure,  enlightening  the  eyes,"  and  to 
souls  innumerable  this  volume  carefully  read 
has  proved  the  wisdo??i  and  the  power  of  God 


Sermon  4,       -  ^7-; 

for  these  important  ends.  The  law  of  God 
when  applied  by  the  Spirit  of  God  sets  before 
the  sinner  in  awful  review  not  merely  his  pre- 
sent, but  also  his  former  conduct ;  not  only  his 
actions,  and  words,  but  the  most  secret 
thoughts,  and  purposes  of  his  heart ;  it  pre- 
sents these  to  the  eye  of  his  conscience  with 
every  circumstance  of  aggravation  ;  nay,  it 
brings  home  immediately  to  his  view  not  only 
crimes  which  the  world  never  knew,  but  du- 
ties neglected,  warnings  misimproved,  and 
crimes  committed  which  for  months  or  years 
had  been  forgotten  by  himself.  It  then  ad- 
monishes him  that  '*  cursed  is  every  one  who 
continueth  not  in  all  things  which  are  written 
in  the  book  of  the  law  to  do  them  ;  that  the 
soul  that  sinneth  it  shall  die  :"  It  thus  rouses 
the  sinner  to  a  consciousness  of  his  guilt,  to 
an  apprehension  of  his  danger,  and  obliges 
him  with  the  trembling  jailor  to  exclaim, 
^'  what  shall  I  do  to  be  saved  ?"  A  very  in- 
teresting instance  of  the  efficacy  of  the  word, 
when  applied  by  the  power  of  God,  for  alarm- 
ing the  most  secure,  and  subduing  the  most 
obstinate  sinners,  occurred  in  the  army  of  Oli- 
ver Cromwell,  It  was  the  special  order  of  that 
officer  that  every  soldier  under  his  command 
should  always  have  a  bible  in  his  pocket.  A- 
greeably  to  this  requisition  a  licentious  young 
soldier  carried  a  copy  of  the  scriptures,  which 
during  the  action  was  penetrated  by  a  ball 
from  the  enemy.  After  the  army  had  retired 
from  the  field,  this  profligate  youth  had  the 
I 


93  '      Sermoii  4, 

curiosity  toexannnehow  fiir  the  ball  liacl  en- 
tered his  bible,  and  while  he  was  turning  over 
one  leaf  after  another  the  following  nassiige 
arrested  his  attention,  *'  Rt^joice,  O  ^onng 
man,  in  thy  youth,  and  let  thy  heart  cheer 
thee  in  the  days  of  thy  youth,  and  walk  in  tlie 
ways  of  thine  heart,  and  in  the  sight  of  tlfinc 
eyes  ;  but  know  thou  that  for  all  these  things 
God  will  bring  thee  into  judgment  :"  And 
this  w^ord  accompanied  with  die  pov.er  cf  Al- 
mighty God  literally  pierced  to  the  dividhig  a- 
sunder  0/  tits  soul  end  spirit  :  It  proved  the 
happy  instrument  of  enlightening  his  under- 
standing, of  alarming  his  conscience,  of  chan- 
ging liis  heart,  and  finally  of  saving  his  soul  : 
He  afterwards  resided  many  years  in  London 
manifesting  the  reality  of  his  conversion  by  the 
holiness  of  his  life  ;  and  often  remarked  to 
his  minister,  a  celebrated  divine  of  that  city,* 
*^  that  his  bible  was  the  mean  of  savin?:-  both 

o 

his  soul  and  body."' 

But  the  use  of  the  scriptures  docs  not  cease 
at  our  conversion  to  the  Living  God  ;  they 
ought  to  be  diligently  and  devoutly  read 
as  a  mean  of  our  progress  in  sanctification, 
and  spiritual  wisdom  :  And  the  believer  in 
Jesus  usually  finds  that  every  grace  fiouribhes 
in  proportioii  as  his  delight  in  the  lively  ora- 
cles encreases.  These  are  the  sincere,  uni  dul- 
terated  milk^  by  which  the  children  of  the  spi- 
ritual family  grow  up  to  the  stature  of  perfect 
rnen,  and  are  matured  for  the  fruition  of  glo-^ 

Dr.  Evans. 


Serrdon  4.  9^J 

TV.  Other  books  may  be  profitably  read  ;  tiiey 
ji re  u  sc  fa  I  for  e  x  p i a i n  i n  g  a  nd  e n for  c  i  n  g  t  h  e  \v ord 
of  God,  but  they  are  as  far  inferior  to  the  zvord 
itself  as  the  stream  is  inferior  to  the  fountain 
from  which  it  flows.  '*  The  statutes  of  the 
Lord  are  right,  rejoicliig  the  heart  ;  his  judg- 
ments are  righteous  altogether," and  whenseal- 
ed  upon  the  believing  soul  by  the  spirit  of  holi- 
ness are  a  chief  mean  of  fortifying  against 
temptation,  of  animating  to  the  discharge  of 
duty,  and  of  imparting  support  amidst  the  e- 
vils'of  life.  Holy  men  of  God  appear  to  be  at 
a  loss  for  language  to  express  their  esteem 
for  his  precious  word,  or  their  delight  in  read- 
ing and  reflecting  upon  it.  One  pronounces 
it  *'  more  to  be  desired  than  gold,  yea,  than 
much  fine  gold  ;  sweeter  also  than  honey, 
and  the  honey  comb  :  '  He  appeals  to  the 
searcher  of  hearts,  *'  thy  testimonies  have  I 
taken  as  an  heritage  for  ever  j  for  they  are  the 
rejoicing  of  my  heart.  Trouble  and  anguish 
have  taken  hold  on  me  ;  yet  thy  command- 
ments are  my  delight  :  they  are  my  song  in 
the  house  of  my  pilgrimage.  '  Another  bears 
his  testimony  in  language  equally  honorable 
and  affectionate  to  the  excellence  of  the  sacred 
oracles,  "  we  have  also  a  more  sure  word  of 
prophecy,"  a  more  certain,  infallible  guide 
than  dreams,  or  visions,  or  any  other  revela- 
tion from  whatever  quarter  it  may  be  receiv- 
ed ;  nay,  more  certain  than  that  voice  which 
we  audibly  heard  when  we  :v/ere  present  on 
the  holv  mount  ;  ''  whereunto  ve  do  well  that 


100  Sermon  4, 

ye  take  heed  as  unlo  a  light  shining  in  a  dark 
place,  until  the  day  dav.n,  and  the  day  star  a- 
rise  in  your  hearts."  The  meaning  of  this 
])assage  is  both  obvious  and  important  ;  it 
instaicts  us  that  the  lamp  of  revelation  ought 
to  be  kept  constantly  in  our  hands  ;  that  its 
light  ought  to  be  steadily  pursued,  until  faith 
is  exchanged  for  im.mediate  vision,  hope  for 
full  fruition,  and  we  are  admitted  to  see  with- 
out a  vail  for  ever. 

5.  We  ought  to  read  the  scriptures  with 
the  resolution  of  reducing  to  practice  what- 
ever they   command.     The  bible   was  given 
not  only  as  a  system  of  doctrine,  but  also  as  a 
rule  of  duty,  and  we  are  bound  to  search  it 
that  our  duty  may  be  known  and  performed* 
Jt  was  not  designed  merely  to  inform  the  un- 
derstanding by  the    disclosure   of  truths  for- 
merly unknown,  but  also  to  correct  the  heart, 
and  regulate  the  life  :  And  as  it  becomes  us 
to  bow  our  understandings  to  the  authority  of 
Jehovah  by  believing  implicitly  whatever  he 
declares,  wc  should  also  bow  our  wills  by  re- 
ducing to  practice  whatever  he  enjoins  in  his 
word.     Do  the  scriptures  afford  the  most  clear 
revelation   of  God    in  his  essence,  and  per- 
fections, and  government  ;  do  they  represent 
Him  as  necessarily  possessed  of  every  possi- 
ble excellence,   as   unerring  in   his    wisdom, 
unspotted  in  his  purity,  irresistible  in  power, 
and  tender  in  his  mercies,  they  afford  this  dis- 
covery of  the  Divine  Being  that  we  may   be 
induced  to  admire  and  adore,  and  serve  him  : 


Sermon  4.  101 

Do  they  represent  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ  as 
ineffably  great,  and  gracious  :  as  possessing 
originJly  the  form  of  God,  yet  appearing  for 
our  sakes  in  the  form  of  a  servant  ;  as  loving 
his  people,  becoming  a  propitiation  for  their 
sins,  and  opening  a  living  way  for  their  re- 
turn to  that  God  whose  favor  they  have  for- 
feited :  The  scriptures  reveal  the  Saviour  iii 
all  his  grace,  and  glory  that  our  souls  may  be 
captivated  with  his  excellencies  ;  that  we  may 
be  constrained  to  repair  to  Him,  to  rest  upon 
him,  and  rejoice  in  him  as  our  refuge,  and 
portion  :  Do  the  scrijHures  give  a  discovery 
of  hell  with  its  exquisite,  never-ending  tor- 
ments, it  is  that  we  may  take  the  alarm,  and 
flee  from  this  wrath.  Do  they  disclose  to  our 
view  heaven  with  its  blessedness,  and  glories, 
it  is  that  we  may  strive  earnestly  to  enter  it  : 
Do  they  exhibit  the  divine  law  as  holy,  and 
just,  and  good,  it  is  that  we  may  cheerfully 
obey  it  :  Do  they  set  forth  a  system  of  ordi- 
nances private  and  public  as  the  instituted 
means  of  our  instruction  and  edification,  it  is 
that  we  may  be  induced  thankfully  to  improve 
them.  If  ye  know  these  things,'  says  our 
Lord,  '*  happy  are  you  if  you  do  them."  The 
moment  we  are  convinced  that  any  ordinance 
is  divinely  appointed  we  ought  conscientious- 
ly to  attend  it  whatever  sacrifice  of  our  ease, 
or  interest,  or  reputation  may  be  required  : — 
Otherwise  every  additional  attainment  in 
knowledge  must  aggravate  our  condemnation 
and  woe.  To  remain  ignorant  of  the  divine 
I  2 


^■ 


102  Sermon  4. 

will  under  the  means  of  information  is  crimi- 
nal, but  to  be  acquainted  with  our  duty  and 
live  in  the  neglect  of  it  is  still  more  criminal, 
because  our  disobedience  is  a  direct  impeach- 
ment of  that  wisdom  and  authority  which  en- 
joined it. 

6.  The   scriptures  ought  to  be  read  dailj/ 
when  opportunities  can  possibly  be  enjoyed. 
No  arguments,  I  trust,  arc^  necessary  to  evir.ce 
the  propriety  of  attendingso  frequendy  to  this 
exercise.     It  is  a  reasonable  tribute  of  respect 
and  gratitude  to  theLiving  God,  their  Author  ; 
that  we    should  be   often    consulting  the  only 
volume  which  he  has  v.ritten.     It  is  also  a  du- 
ty which  we   owe  to  our  immortal  souls  that 
we  frequently  improve  this  mean  of  edification 
and  comfort.     Are  we  dciHi/  *  laboring  for  tlie 
meat  v/hich  perisheth,"  and  why  not  occupy 
a  portion   of  each   day    in  laboring  for  "  that 
meat   which   endureth   to  everlasting  life  ?" 
Are  we  daily  promoting  the   health  and  com- 
fort of  the  outward  m.an  by  eating,and  drir.king, 
and  clothing,   and  why  not  devote  a  little  at- 
tention  to    the   interests  of  that   soul  which 
must  live  for  ever  ?  And  vv'hat  mean  is  more 
happily  adapted  to  advance  its  interests  than  a 
careful  perusal  of  the  scriptures  and  affection- 
ate meditations  upon  them  ?  It  is  not  without 
an  important  design  that  the  apostle  testifies  sa 
explicitly  of  the  Bereans  that  ''  they  searched 
the  scriptures  daily ^"^^  or  that  the  exercises  of 
David  are  so  particularly  recorded,  and  hand- 
ed down  to  future  ages,     *'  O  how  love  I  thy 


Sermon  4.  103 

law  ;  it  is  my  meditation  all  the  day.  I  will 
delight  myself  iii  thy  statutes  ;  I  will  not  for- 
get thy  word"  Besides,  a  peculiar  promise 
is  made  to  those  who  are  diligent,  and  consci- 
entious in  their  improvement  of  the  hol}- 
scriptures.  ''  Biesed  is  the  man  that  delight- 
cth  in  the  law  of  ihe  Lord,  and  in  his  law  doth 
he  meditate  day  and  night."  The  moments 
consecrated  to  the  Living  God,  and  the  con- 
templation of  his  word  shall  secure  a  blessing 
on  all  the  other  pursuits  and  enjoyments  of 
the  day  ;  for  it  is  added,  *'  he  shall  be  like  a 
tree  planted  by  the  rivers  of  water  that  bring- 
eth  forth  his  fruit  in  his  season  ;  his  leaf  also 
shall  not  wither,  and  whatever  he  doeth  shall 
prosper.  ' 

These  directions  for  the  profitable  use  of 
the  sacred  scriptures  I  shall  now  conclude  in 
the  very  appropriate  language  of  our  excellent 
catechism  ;  "  that  the  word  may  become  ef- 
fectual to  salvation,  we  must  attend  thereunto 
with  diligence,  preparation,  and  prayer  ;  re- 
ceive it  with  faith  and  love,  lay  it  up  in  our 
hearts   and  practise  it  in  our  lives.' 

Permit  me  to  apply  this  doctrine  by  exhort- 
ing you  to  ad'^re  the  Great  God  for  giving  us 
this  revelation  of  his  will;  for  lighting  up  this 
cheering  lamp  in  our  guilty,  benighted  world, 
and  recommending  you  affectionately  to  im- 
prove it.  To  leave  our  bibles  neglected  from 
&.\y  to  day  is  really  to  shut  our  eyes  against 
the  light  :  it  is  practically  to  pour  contempt  on 
that  goodness  which  afforded  the  scriptures. 


104  Sermon  4. 

2ihd  on  that  authority  which  enjoins  us  to  search 
thcni.  This  is  a  truth  which  I  would  most 
solemnly  press  upon  the  consciences  of  eve. y 
reader  of  these  pages.  Many  of  you  perhaps 
aim  at  being  rnoral  in  your  conduct,  chaste  in 
your  C6nversatinri,  at  honesty  in  }  our  ordinary 
dealings  by  *'  rendering  to  all  their  due,  and 
thus  doing  to  others  as  you  would  that  others 
should  do  unto  you  :  '  Your  ears  are  probably 
shocked  at  the  impiety  of  the  swearer,  your 
eyes  are  probably  disgusted  upon  witnessing 
a  neighbor  debasing  himself  by  foul  intoxica- 
tion, or  guilty  of  the  open  profanation  of  the 
Lord  s  day,  yet  you  yourselves  live  habitual^ 
]y^  and,  perhaps  Vv  iiliout  remorse,  in  the  omis- 
sion of  commanded  duty  :  You  rarely  pray 
in  your  closets  or  families,  and  suffer  days  to 
pass  away  without  reading  a  chapter  of  the 
bible.  But  is  it  not  a  direct  comm.and  of  God, 
*'  search  the  scriptures  ;  let  the  word  of  Christ 
dwell  in  you  richly  in  all  wisdom,"  and  is 
there  no  guilt,  no  danger  in  the  habitual  omis- 
sion of  this  command  ?  A  parent  feels  no  less 
OiFended  with  his  child  for  neglecting  tim.e  af- 
ter time  any  service  which  he  has  positively 
enjoined,  than  for  doing  what  he  has  actually 
forbidden  :  and  is  the  Great  God,  the  moral 
Governor  of  the  universe,  less  jealous  of  his 
prerogatives  than  frail,  imperfect  mortals  P-**- 
Recollect,  therefore,  that  he  is  no  less  displea- 
sed and  dishonored  at  your  omission  of  what 
he  has  required,  than  your  commission  of 
what  he  has  forbidden.     **  The  servant  that 


Sermon  4.  105 

knew  his  lord's  will,  and  prepared  not  himself, 
neither  did  according  to  his  will,  shall  be  bea- 
ten with    many  stripes-     Prophecy  came  not 
in  old  time  by  the  will  of  men  ;  but  holy  men 
of  God  sp  ike  as  they  were  moved  by  the  Ho- 
ly Ghost ,"  the  inspired  writeis  were  only  the 
medium,  the  message  was  from  Jehovah,  and 
will  you  turn  away  from  a  speaker  so  august 
and  divine  ?  Is   it  to    be  supposed   that  he 
*'  whose  understanding  is  infinite"  would  raise 
up  men  in  different  ages,  prophets  and  apos- 
tles ;  that  he  would  move  them  xvhen  to  speak, 
and  direct  them  what  to  say  ;  that  he  would 
preserve  their   writings  unaltered  amidst  the 
most  fiery  opposition  of  earth  and  hell,    and 
yet  that  there  is  no  guilt  in  leaving  these  wri- 
tings   unimproved  ?  But  waving  the  divine 
authority  which  binds  you  to  this  perusal  of 
the  scriptures,  may  not  a  regard  for  your  own 
interest,  constrain  you  to  it  ?  As  the  sacred 
volume  \s  a  faithful  sayi'^g,  being  written  by 
inspiration  of  God,  it  is  worthy  of  all  accepta- 
tion,  being  replete  with  consolation  to  man* 
Under  a  conviction  of  guilt,  is  there  nothing 
reviving   in  that  declaration,    "  God   was  in 
Christ,   reconciling  the  world  unto   himself, 
not  imputing  their  trespasses  unto  them  :  I 
will  be  merciful  to  your  unrighteousnesses  ?  ' 
Amidst  the  numerous  evils  and  discourage- 
ments  that  you  experience,  is  there   nothing 
supporting  in  that  assurance,  ''all  things,  shall 
work  together  for  good  to  them  that  love  God: 
The  Lord  will  give  grace  and  glory  ;  no  good 


106  Sermon  4. 

thing  win  he  witlihold  from  them  that  walk 
uprightly  ?"  While  you  find  the  infirmities  of 
nature  gradually  cncreasing,  all  earthly  enjov- 
ments  losing  their  relish,  and  the  "  grass-hop- 
per becoming  a  burden,''  is  there  no  support 
in  tliat  heavenly  word,  "  and  even  to  your  old 
age  i  am  he  ;  and  even  to  hoar  hairs  will  I 
carry  you  :  1  have  made,  and  I  will  bear  ; 
even  I  will  carry,  and  I  will  deliver  you  :  I 
will  strengthen  thee  ;  yea,  I  will  help  thee  ; 
yea,  I  will  uphold  thee  with  the  right  hand  of 
m}  righteousness  P"  In  t  ;e  prospect  of  part- 
ing with  your  dear  ofTspri:  g,  and  leaving  them 
in  a  world  of  corruption,  ?nd  vexation,  and 
sorrow  is  there  no  relief  to  thine  anxious  soul 
in  that  invitation  of  thy  Father  in  heaven, 
*'  Leave  thy  .'fa'.herles:^  children,  I  v/\\\  pre- 
serve them  alive,  and  let  div  widows  trust  in 
me  :  Ask  me  of  things  to  come  concerning 
my  sons,  and  concerning  the  work  of  my 
hands  con:imand  ye  mjc  ;  i  will  give  them  one 
heart,  and  one  way, that  they  may  fear  me  for- 
ever for  the  good  of  them  and  of  their  cliildren 
after  them  :'  When  the  clay  tabernacle  begins 
to  totter^  and  thou  art  forewarned  of  a  speedy 
dissolution,  is  there  nothing  animating  in  that 
declaration  of  a  risen  Saviour,  '*  he  that  belie- 
veth  on  me  hath  everlasting  life  :  I  am  the  re- 
surrection and  the  life,  he  that  believeth  on 
me  although  he  v/ere  dead,  yet  shall  he  live." 
'Jliese  promises  frequently  read  and  sealed 
upon  the  heart  by  the  Divine  Spirit,  impart 
purer  joy  and  more  substantial  support  than 


Sermon  S.  107 

can  be  derived  from  any  created  source. — 
''  More  to  be  desired  are  they  than  gold,  yea, 
than  much  fine  gold  ;  sweeter  also  tlian  honey, 
and  the  lioney  comb." 

Do  you  object  that  you  have  often  read  the 
scriptures,  and  committed  portions  of  them  to 
memory,  but  without  any  real  advantage  ; 
you  have  never  felt  their  efficacy  either  for 
convincing  of  sin,  or  for  animating  to  the  dis» 
charge  of  duty.  Be  exlioi"ted  to  read  them 
more  frequently,  and  with  still  greater  atten- 
tion to  their  meaning.  We  are  not  to  expect 
profit  from  the  bible  by  running  over  a  chap- 
ter of  it  as  we  would  a  page  of  the  almanack, 
or  a  paragraph  in  the  newspaper :  We  should 
attend  to  this  d-ity  as  an  ordinance  of  the  Li- 
ving God  with  the  utmost  solemnity  and  earn- 
estness ;  revolving  in  our  minds  again  and  a- 
gain  the  doctrines  which  it  reveals  and  the  ad- 
monitions which  it  contains.  "  We  ought 
therefore  to  give  the  more  earnest  heed  to  the 
things  which  we  have  heard  or  read,  lest  at 
any  time  we  let  them  slip.  We  are  comman- 
ded to  have  his  word  in  our  hearts  by  making 
it  the  subject  of  our  frequent  and  delightful 
contemplation  ;  "  to  talk  of  it  when  we  are 
sitting  in  the  house,  and  walking  by  the  way  ; 
when  v/e  are  lying  down  and  rising  up." — 
Again,  read  the  scriptures  w^ith  more  fervent 
prave?  to  that  Spirit  who  alone  can  reveal 
them  savingly  to  your  souls.  The  understan- 
ding is  darkened  by  nature,  and  incapable  of 
discerning  spiritual  objects  until  it  is  divinely 


108  Sermon  3, 

illuminated.  When  you  take  this  heavenly 
volume  into  your  hands  be  impressed  that 
however  great y  and  precious  its  promises,  and 
however  excellent  its  precepts  you  must  be 
taught  of  God  before  it  will  be  profitable,  ei- 
ther for  reproof,  or  correction,  or  consolation, 
and  then  expostulate  with  the  Father  of  lights, 
"  open  thou  mine  eyes  to  behold  wondrous 
things  out  of  thy  law  :  Give  me  the  spirit  of 
wisdom  and  revelation — that  I  may  know  what 
is  the  hope  of  thy  calling,  and  what  the  riches 
of  the  glory  of  thine  inheritance  among  the 
saints."  For  the  Lord's  sake,  and  for  your 
own  soul  s  sake,  I  intreatyou  not  to  conclude 
that  because  you  cannot  make  these  oracles 
effectual,  it  is  therefore  useless  to  read  or  im- 
prove them.  Such  insinuations  originate  in 
unbelief,  and  ought  instantly  to  be  resisted  ; 
they  are  cherished  by  that  arch-enemy  who 
aims  at  draggingyou  as  miserable  captives  to 
the  same  torments  with  himself.  Because 
you  cannot  make  your  corn  to  grow,  will  you 
not  plant  ?  Because  you  cannot  command  the 
dews  to  distill,  or  the  genial  rains  to  descend, 
will  you  not  sow  ?  Because  the  mariner  can- 
not oblige  the  winds  to  blow  wheiiy  or  in  what 
direction  he  pleases,  will  he  refuse  to  spread 
his  sails?  The  children  of  this  w^orld  are  wiser 
in  their  generation  than  to  reason  after  this 
manner.  They  know  that  without  sowing 
they  cannot  reap,  but  by  sowing  they  moyy 
and  probably  will  reap.  They  know  that  the 
hand  of  the  diligent  ordinarily  maketh  rich, 


Sermon  4.  109 

and  therefore  they  use  tlie  most  appropriate 
means  in  the  most  suitable  season,  and  will 
you  not  make  the  experiment,  when  your 
peace  in  life,  your  support  in  death,  and  your 
welflire  through  eternity  are  at  stake  ?  Will 
you  not  allow  yourselves  leisure,  or  will  you 
not  submit  to  the  trouble  of  searching  the 
scriptures,  when  it  is  declared,  *^  in  thcni 
ye  think  ye  have  eternal  life  ?"  Or  llirough 
your  wailful  neglect  will  you  leave  their  adora- 
ble  Author  to  complain,  ''•  I  have  written  to 
them  the  great  things  of  my  law,  but  they 
were  counted  a  strange  thing  ?'' 

Reader,  hast  thou  founJ  the  promises  pre- 
cious ;  hast  thou  often  felt  them  to  be  tlie 
joy,  and  rejoicing  of  thine  heart;  adore  the 
Lord  the  spirit  for  those  operations  by  which 
thine  eyes  were  opened  to  discern  their  exce!- 
lence,  and  thy  soul  enaliled  to  taste  their  con- 
solations :  To  him  thou  art  a  debtor  for  all 
that  delight  which  thou  hast  experienced  in 
reading  them,  and  for  all  that  freedom  which 
thou  hast  found  in  receivinQ:  them  as  thev  are 
yea^  and  amen  in  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ. 
*'  Blessed  are  your  eyes  for  they  see,  and  your 
ears  for  they  hear,  for  many  wise  men,  and 
mighty,  and  noble'  have  enjoyed  the  same 
oracles^  and  remained  strangers  to  their  sanc- 
tifying, and  saving  effect  :  They  have  sat  un- 
der  the  shining  of  the  same  celestial  lamp, 
without  discerning  a  ray  of  its  glory.  *' But 
God  who  commanded  the  light  to  shine  out 
of  darkness  hath  shined  in  your  hearts  to  £^ive 

K 


iiO  Sermon  4. 

}'ou  the  light  of  the  kno^vledge  of  tlie  glory 
of  God  in  the  flice  of  Jesus  Christ."  In  the 
humble,  devout,  and  daily  improvement  of 
ihis  record  of  thy  Fath.er's  Jove,  endeavor  to 
make  progTcssin  grace,  and  in  the  knowledge 
of  thy  dear  Saviour,  and  Lord  :  In  proportion 
as  }ou  become  acquainted  widi  the  mystery 
of  God,  and  of  the  Father,  and  of  Christ  the 
more  will  divine  peace  abound  in  your  consci- 
ences, the  more  will  true  holiness  sit  en- 
throned ii^.  \  cur  hearts,  and  your  affections 
v.ill  rise  and  center  upon  things  above. 
*•  Whereby  are  given  unto  us  exceeding  great 
and  precious  promises  that  by  these  ye  might 
be  partakers  of  a  divine  nature.''  Observe 
.stated  oppotunities  each  Oii'.y  for  reading  por- 
tions  of  the  scriptures,  particularly  the  prac- 
tical, and  devotional  parts  of  them  with  prav- 
er  to  him  whose  grace  can  render  them  coiir 
ilucive  to  your  spiritual  profit  :  And  while 
you  read  rejoice  in  them  as  the  heir  rejoices 
in  his  title  to  a  large  estate,  or  as  the  child 
rejoices  in  the  last  will  oi  his  Father  Vvhiich 
bequeathes  a  rich  inheritance.  Be  i^ot  satis- 
fied willi  hearing  the ra  read  by  others,  or,  if 
thou  art  the  head  of  a  flimily,  with  reading 
them  to  thy  liousehold  at  the  seasons  of  ordi- 
nary devotions  ;  thou  hast  a  soul  of  thine  own 
to  be  quickened  when  deed,  to  be  animated 
when  indolent,  to  be  comforted  when  discon- 
solate, therefore  embiace  opportunities  for 
searchiiig  the  living  oracles  apart  by  thyself. 
Let  no  business  \vhich  relates  to  the  present 


Sermon  4,  -t^i 

tvorlcl,  neither  the  cares  of  thy  farm,  or  thv 
merchandize,  or  any  secuhu'  employment  di- 
vert thee  from  the  stated  performance  of  this 
dutv.     The  ^aia  of  thy  soul  13   infinitely  the 
most    interesting  gain,  and  remember  it   is 
*'  to  them  who,  by  patient  contmumij'   in  weh 
doinc^-seek  for  glorv,  and  honour,  and  irnmor- 
talit)sthat  eternal  life"  is  promised.  We  ought 
to  consider  that  day  as  lost,  as  a  blank  m  our 
lives  in  which  nothing  has  been  done  for  our 
souls,and  eternity  by  attention  to  some  spiritual 
exercises.   When,  on  the  other  hand,  we  arc 
called  to  exchange  this   world  for  the  next,^ 
those  davs  will  appear  the  most  precious  of 
the  week,  and  those  hours  the  most  precious 
of  the  dav,  and  those  moments  the  most  pre- 
cious of  "the  hour  which   were  spent  in  com- 
munion  wiih  God,  and    making  preparation 
for  our  future  state       It  was  the  solemn  attes- 
tation of  one*   who  had    attained   nearly   the 
summit  of  human  greatness,  ''  I  have  survey- 
ed the    most  part   of  that  learning  which  is 
common  among  men,  but  now  I  ftnd  no  rest 
for  my  soul  except  in   the  holy   scriptures." 
It  was  the  exclamation    of  anotherj   eminent 
both  in  station,  and   for  his  talents,  ''  I  have 
lost  a  world  of  time  die  most  precious   thing 
in  the  world,  of  winch  had   I  one  year  more 
it   should  be    spent  in  reading  the  psalms  of 
David,  and  the  epistles  of  Paul."      Another|| 
distingui-.hed  boih  in  the  church  and  in  the 
*    i  he  Hon.  ]^>us   Selden. 

I    S/\l.MASiA.  11    Sir    CilKlSTOFHER    KUTTCN. 


112  Strmon  4. 

world  expostulates  with  his  friends  in  his  last 
hours,  "  be  serious  in  searching  after  xhQ  will 
of  God  in  his  holy  word  ;  if  it  is  desirable  lo 
know  the  laws  of  the  land,  and  the  customs 
of  our  eountr}^  bow  much  more  to  know  the 
statutes  of  heaven-,  and  the  laws  of  eternit}' ; 
to  know  tlie  will  oftlie  Great  Monarch,  and 
Eternal  King."  He  then  devGutly  exclaimed, 
*'  1  have  seen  an  end  cf  ail  perfection,  but 
thv  commandment  is  exceedinsf  broad/' 
Sach  i-s  the  testimony  of  men  who  enjoyed  all 
that  support  which  either  the  WTalth  or  hen. 
cars  of  creation  could  impart ;  such  was  their 
testimony  as  they  were  just  leaping  from  time 
to  eternity,  and  therefore  could  have  no  in- 
terest in  deceiving.  I  must  now  conclude 
presenting  again  for  your  imitation  the  exam. 
pie  of  the  Bereans  **  who  received  the  word 
v/ith  all  readiness  of  mind,  and  searched  the 
scriptures  daily.'*  This  feeble  attempt  to  re- 
commicnd  the  oracles  of  our  Lord  is  left  with 
your  consciences  until  that  solemn  hour  when 
we  must  stand  together  at  his  bar. 

"  And  now,  brethren,  I  commend  you  to 
God,  and  to  the  word  of  his  grace  which  is  able 
to  build  you  up,  and  to  give  you  an  inheritance 
among  all  them  which  arc  sanctified/'-— 
Amen. 


SERMON  V. 

ISAIAH    56,    4. 

Forties  saith  the  Lord  unto  the  Eunuchs  that 
keep  771  y  Sabbaths, 

THE  pro^-niscs  contained  in  this-, 
and  the  following  verses  of  the  chiiptcr  refer 
immediately  to  the  New-Testament  dispensa- 
tion. The  inspired  author  with  ])rophetic 
eye  looks  forward  to  a  distant  period  of  time  ; 
he  sees  the  wall  of  partition,  which  had  long 
separated  the  ]q\y  from  the  Gentile,  com- 
pletely removed  ;  he  sees  the  church  extend- 
ing her  limits  beyond  the  narrow  boundaries 
of  Palestine,  and  admitting  to  her  privileges 
not  merely  the  offspring  of  Abraham,  but 
men  of  all  languages,  and  climes,  and  kin- 
dreds. The  prophet  thus  mentions  in  anotli- 
er  verse,  "  also  the  sons  of  the  stranger,"  il-c 
Gentile  nations  who  had  been  formerly  consi- 
dered. "  as  strangers,  and  foreigners,  '  \\\\.y 
were  not  acknowledged  as  a  people  in  cove- 
nant with  God,,  nor  dignified  wiih  the  pecu- 
liar privileges  of  liis  children,  "these  sons  of 
the  Strang- r  that  join  themselves  to  the  Lord 
— and  take  hold  of  my  covenant:  Even  the  :n 
v/ill  I  bring  to  my  holy  mountain,,  and  make 
them  joyful  in  my  house  of  prayer;  fov  n^in." 
house  shall  be  called  an  house  of  prayer  [ot  vW 
people."  Among  the  various  duties  to  which 
promises  are  made  in  the  diflerent  verses  cf 
this  chapter  the  sanctiiicution  of  the  s^.bbuti;i 
K  2 


ll'i  Sermon  5. 

may  be  considered  as  the  most  prominent  and 
is  most  frequently  mentioned.  This  is  a  plain 
proof  that  the  Sabbath  is  an  ordinance  of  mo- 
ral obligation,  that  it  is  not  peculiar  toany  age 
of  the  church,  but  shall  be  perpetuated  through 
all  ages,  and  that  the  observance  of  it  is  es- 
sential to  the  christian  character. 

My  design  is  to  enforce  the  sanctification 
of  the  Lord^s  day,  and  as  this  can  probably 
be  done  with  greater  success  after  you  are 
fully  convinced  that  it  is  a  moral  duty,  per- 
petually binding  in  the  church,  I  shall  endea- 
vor to  shew, 

J.  That  the  sabbath  is  an  ordinance  of  last- 
ing obligation,  and 

II.  The  manner  in  which  it  ought  to  be 
sanctified. 

The  moral  nature  of  the  sabbath,  and  its 
perpetual  obligation  are  evident, 

I.  From  the  time  when  this  institution  was 
made,  and  the  arguments  with  which  it  was 
originally  enforced.  No  reason  was  expres- 
sed at  the  first  appointment  of  a  particular 
day  for  religio:is  worship,  nor  can  any  be 
imagined  by  us  why  it  should  be  binding  on 
Adam,  more  than  on  his  posterity  in  all  gen- 
erations. Does  not  the  Lord  God  stand  in 
the  relation  of  a  Creator  to  us,  no  less  than 
to  him,  and  are  v.e  not  therefore  equally 
bound  to  devote  a  portion  of  our  time  for  his 
immediate  service  ?  Had  man  retained  his 
primitive  innocence  he  v/ould  have  ceased  on 
every  seventh  d\v  from  the  labors  of  life,  and 


Sermon  5.  115 

occupied  himself  exclusively  in  the  contem- 
plation, and  worship  of  his  Creator,  and  is 
this  retirement  from  the  business  of  the  world 
less  necessary  in  his  fallen,  imperfect  condi- 
tion ?  Surely  if  it  was  requisite  for  Adam 
when  unadulterated  by  sin,  and  possessed 
fully  with  the  image  of  his  God ;  when  he 
admired  him  in  all  that  he  saw,  and  enjoyed 
him  in  all  that  he  tasted  ;  when  every  thought 
was  holy,  and  every  affection  was  devoted  to 
Jehovah  as  the  object  cf  its  delight,  if  it  was 
necessary  for  Adam  under  such  circumstan- 
ces to  separate  a  seventh  part  of  his  time  for 
the  duties  of  religion,  it  is  much  more  neces- 
sary for  us  who  are  naturally  carnal,  and  earth- 
ly ;  whose  hearts  are  so  powerfully  prone  to 
this  world,  and  arc  often  going  after  its  vani- 
ties, even  when  the  body  is  enjoying  the  rest 
of  the  Sabbath  ? 

That  this  ordinance  must  be  of  perp-tuul 
obligation  also  appears  obvious, 

2  Fiom  the  argument  by  which  it  was  o- 
riginally  enforced,  even  the  divine  example 
in  the  creation  of  this  world.  *'  And  on  the 
seventh  day  God  ended  his  work  which  he 
had  made  ;  and  God  blessed  the  seventh  day, 
and  sanctified  it,''  set  it  apart  for  holy  exer- 
cises, and  a  day  in  which  peculiar  blessings 
should  be  dispensed,  ''  because  that  in  it  he 
had  rested  from  all  his  works  which  God  cre- 
ated, and  made."  This  is  the  very  same  ar- 
gument  by  which  the  observance  of  the  sab- 
bath was  urged  upon  the  Israelites  from  mount 


116  Sermon  5. 

Sinai,  and  in  dltierent  periods  of  ihtir  dispen- 
sation ;  and  surely  this  argument  is  equally^ 
forcible  in  all  nges  of  the  world,  and  to  a!l^ 
generations  of  men.  Why  was  the  Lord  God 
pleased  to  occupy  six  days  in  carrying  on  and 
completing  the  creation  of  this  world  f  He 
could  as  easil}^  have  finished  it  in  one  day  as 
in  six,  yea  in  a  moment  of  time,  as  in  a  suc- 
cession of  ages:  but  he  protracted  it  day  after 
day  very  probably  as  an  example  to  man,  that 
after  laboring  six  days  in  secular  pursuits  the 
seventh  should  be  devoted  to  a  holy  rest. 
"  Six  days  shait  thou  labor,  and  do  all  thy- 
work,  but  the  seventh  day  is  the  sabbath  of 
the  Lord  thy  God,  in  it  thou  shalt  not  do  any 
work — For  in  six  days  the  Lord  made  heaven 
and  earth,  the  sea,  and  all  that  in  them  is, 
and  rested  the  seventh  day  ;  wherefore  the 
Lord  blessed  the  Sabbath  day,  andhallov/ed  it. 

That  the  sabbath  is  of  perpetual  obligation 
appears  undeniable, 

3.  From  the  ccnsidtration  that  it  was  an-. 
nounced  at  the  same  time,  and  with  the  same 
solemnity  as  the  other  commandments.  When 
man  in  consequence  of  his  apostacy  had  lost 
a  knov.'ledge  of  the  true  God^  and  a  revela- 
tion of  the  divine  will  became  necessary  the 
sabbath  was  instituted  with  as  much  precision 
and  enforced  with  as  much  authority  as  any 
other  ordinance.  It  was  announced  by  Jeho- 
vah with  an  audible  voice,  and  in  terrible  ma- 
jesty from  mount  Sinai,  "  Remem.ber  the  sab- 
bath day,  and  keep  it   holy  :  *    It  was  after- 


Sermon  5.  117 

^vards  \VrItten  on  tables  of  stone  by  the  finger 
of  God  as  a  mark  of  its  perpetuity,  and  was 
ordained  to  be  kept  in  the  ark  of  the  covenant 
as  constituting  a  part  of  the  moral  law.  We 
might  as  reasonably  suppose  that  any  part  of 
the  ten  commandments  is  suspended  from  ob- 
ligation as  this  part  :  We  might  as  readily 
suppose  that  it  is  lawful  to  have  other  Gods 
before  him  contrary  to  the  first  commandment, 
or  to  profiine  his  venerable  name  in  opposition 
to  the  third,  as  to  employ  the  seventh  in  our 
secular  pursuits  in  opposition  to  the  explicit 
injunction  of  the  fourth  commandment.  The 
conscientious  observation  of  that  day  was  of- 
ten urged  by  the  Jewish  prophets  as  an  im- 
portant part  of  religion,  and  the  violation  of 
it  was  a  sin  against  which  the  heaviest  judg- 
ments were  denounced.  "  If  ye  will  not  hear- 
ken  unto  me  to  hallow  the  sabbath  day,  and 
not  to  bear  a  burden  then  I  will  kindle  a  fire 
in  the  gates  thereof,  and  it  shall  devour  the 
palaces  of  Jerusalem,  and  it  shall  not  be 
quenched" — Butto  him  whohonored  the  Lord 
*'  by  not  doing  his  own  ways,  nor  finding  his 
own  pleasure,  nor  speaking  his  own  words  o.i 
his  holy  day''  it  was  graciously  promised, 
**  Thou  shalt  delight  thyself  in  the  Lord,  and 
I  will  cause  thee  to  ride  on  the  high  places 
of  the  earth,  and  feed  thee  with  the  heritage 
of  Jacob  thy  father."  From  all  these  consi- 
derations it  may  be  inferred  that  the  sabbath 
was  net  designed  for  one  age  of  the  church, 
but  for  all  ages,  and  that  it  will  be  observed 


UB  Sermon  -5. 

ia  the  exercise  of  divine    worship  until    the 
end  of  the  world. 

It  is  unr.ecessar}^  to  detain  you  by  proving 
at  any  considerable  length  that  immediately 
after  the  resurrection  of  our  Lord  the  sabbath 
was  changed  from  the  seventh  to  tlie  first 
day  of  the  week.  There  is  nothing  in  the  na- 
ture of  the  institution  inconsistent  with  such 
a  change.  The  spirit  of  the  ordinance  is  e- 
vidently  this  that  as  the  LordGod  was  employ- 
ed six  days  in  the  creation  of  the  world,  and 
then  rested  on  the  seventh  day,  so  in  con- 
formity to  his  example  after  the  labour  of  six 
days  in  our  temporal  engagements  o;2<?  should 
be  devoted  to  spiritual  exercises  ;  that  a  se- 
venth portion  of  our  time  should  be  conse- 
crated to  the  immediate  service  of  Jehovah  ; 
but  it  depends  on  his  sovereignty  to  deter- 
mine which  day  shall  be  employed  in  that 
manner.  Nay,  so  far  is  a  change  of  the  time 
from  being  inconsistent  with  the  original  de- 
sign of  the  institution  that  it  appears  altoge- 
ther suitable.  The  seventh  day  was  former- 
ly sanctified,  and  set  apart  for  commemorat- 
ing the  works  of  creation  ;  for  contemplating 
the  perfectionsof  God  as  they  were  displayed 
in  the  various  productioPiS  of  his  hand  :  The 
creation  of  this  natural  world,  with  iis  innu- 
merable inhabitants  rational  andirrational,  be- 
ing then  the  most  astonishing  display  of  h]6 
glory  it  was  proper  that  the  day  of  rest  should 
he  set  apart  for  commemorating  thiu,  bnt 
wiien  anv  other  transaction  of  God  should  a- 


Sermon  5.  119 

aise  to  our  view  more  interesting,  and  glori- 
ous, affording  a  sliil  more  luminous  exhibi- 
tion of  his  wisdon,  and  power,  and  sove- 
reignty, and  grace  it  appears  proper  that  tlic 
Sabbath  should  be  devoted  to  the  commemo- 
ration of  that  transaction,  and  such  without 
all  controversy  is  the  recovery  of  fallen  man 
through  the  m.ediation  of  the  Eternal  Son  : 
In  this  scheme  various  pcfections  of  God  are 
])rought  clearly  to  view  which  were  but  ob- 
scurely, or  not  at  all  displayed  in  his  other 
works,  and  all  his  perfections  are  exhibited 
\v\x\\  a  more  commanding  lustre  :  As  redemp- 
tion is  the  most  important  work,  and  man  so 
deeply  concerned  in  it, is  it  not  proper  that  a  por- 
tion of  our  time  should  beoccupiedexclusive- 
ly  in  contemplating  that  work  ?  If  God  appear- 
ing in  the  character  ofCreator  appointe*d  the  se- 
venth day  for  holy  services,  because  on  it  he  rest- 
ed from  his  work  of  creation,  and  was  refreshed 
in  beholding  the  beauty  of  that  world  which 
came  fair  from  his  hand,  why  should  he  not 
v;hen  appearing  in  the  character  of  Redeemer 
appropriate  for  spiritual  exercises  the  day  on 
which  he  ceasedfrom  his  work  of  redemption  ; 
a  day  on  which  he  was  refreshed  by  seeing  in  a 
finished  redemption  **  glory  in  the  highest  re- 
sulting to  hixiself,  and  good  will"  appearing  to 
our  revolting,  ruined  world  ?  This  change  was 
clearly  foretold  by  the  OldTestament  prophets. 
"  The  stone  which  the  builders  refused  is  be- 
come the  head  stone  of  the  corner."  The 
stone  here  mentioned,  as  an  apostle  asserts,^ 


120  Sermon  5* 

is  the  Son  of  God  betrayed,  and  crucified  by 
the  unnatural  Jews,  He  became,  according  to 
this  infallible  expositor,  the  head  of  the  corner 
at  his  exaltation  which  commenced  in  his  re- 
surrection from  the  dead.  *'  This  is  the  day," 
the  royal  prophet  then  adds,  *'  this  day  of 
Messiah's  resurrection  from  the  dead  is  the 
<:lay^*  which  the  Lord  hath  made,  which  he 
has  desip;ned  for  his  worship  in  all  successive 
ages  '*  we  will  rejoice,  and  be  glad  in  it.'' 
The  same  change  of  the  sabbath  from  the  se- 
venth to  the  first  day  of  the  week,  or  to  the 
eighth  day  from  the  creation  is  foretold  with 
equal  clearness  by  a  succeeding  prophet. 
*'  And  when  these  days  are  expired  it  shall  be 
that  upon  the  eighth  day,  and  so  forward  the 
priests  shall  make  your  burnt-offerings  npcn 
the  altar,  and  your  peace  offerings,  and  I  will 
accept  you,  saith  the  Lord  God."  Agreeably 
to  these  predictions  the  first  day  of  the  week 
was  uniformly  observed  for  social  worship  by 
our  Lord  after  his  resurrection,  by  his  apos- 
tles, and  by  their  successors  in  the  earlier  ages 
of  the  church.  On  that  day  the  risen  Saviour 
frequently  shewed  himself  to  his  disciples,  af- 
fording them  the  most  reviving  assurances  of 
his  love.  *'  Then  the  same  day  at  evening, 
being  the  firstday  of  the  week,  when  the  doors 
were  shut  where  the  disciples  were  assembled 
—came  Jesus  and   stood  in  the  midst,  and 

*  This  is  tht  view  of  this  passage  given  by  Vitrin- 
ga,  by  Kdwards,  bi^  JIvue,  and  various  other  com- 
vientators. 


Sennon  5.  121 

saith  unto  them,  peace  be  unto  you  :  And 
when  he  had  said  this  he  breathed  on  them, 
and  saithuntot!icm,recciveye  the  Holy  Ghost. 
And  after  eip^ht  days  again,''  the  Evangelist 
notices,  that  is  at  the  next  recurrence  of  the 
first  day,  **  when  the  disciples  were  within — 
came  Jesus,  the  doors  being  shut,  and  stood 
in  the  midst,  and  said,  p^^ace  be  unto  you." 
Now,  no  doubt  can  be  entertained  but  our 
Redeemer  appeared  to  his  disciples  on  other 
days,  perhaps  on  every  day  of  the  week,  and 
conversed  with  them  on  the  nature  of  his 
kingdom,  and  those  persecutions  which  the}^ 
should  endnre  in  promoting  it ;  but  on  the 
first  day  of  the  wcek.probabl}^  \vhen  convened 
for^the  exercises  of  religion,  he  met  with  them 
as  an  earnest  of  his  spiritual  presence  with 
his  children  on  that  day  in  future  generations ; 
he  breathed  on  them,  and  communicated  the 
Holy  Ghost  as  a  pledge  of  those  blessings 
which  may  ever  be  expected  by  his  true  wor- 
shippers while  they  observe  the  sameday  as  sa- 
cred to  his  resurrection.  On  the  first  day  ofthe 
week,  being  the  day  of  Pentecost  uhich  fol- 
lowed immediately  after  the  Jewish  Sabbath, 
the  Divine  Spirit  rested  on  the  apostles  in 
such  abundant  eftusion,  and  three  thousand 
were  converted  by  the  preaching  of  Peter. — 
It  is  evident  from  sacred  history  that  the  chur- 
ches ordinarily  assembled  on  the  first  day  to 
attend  the  ministry  of  the  word,  and  to  cele- 
brate the  supper  of  our  Lord  after  his  ascen- 
sion on  high.     We  thus  read  that  **  on  the 

L 


122:  Sermon  5. 

first  day  of  the  week  when  the  disciples  came 
together  to  break  bread  Paul  preached  unto 
them  :"  And  on  the  same  day  the  churches 
of  Corinth  and  Gahitia  were  ordered,  probably 
when  convened  for  social  worship,  to  make 
collection  for  the  poor.  This  was  emphati- 
cally called  *'  the  Lord  s  day,"  as  sacred  to 
the  resurrection  of  our  Lord,  and  was  appro- 
priated for  religious  worship  by  the  immediate 
successors  of  the  Apostles.  A  celebrated  Fa- 
ther^in  the  primitive  church  who,  it  isthought 
was  educated  under  John  the  divine,  and  was 
afterwards  ordained  Bishop  of  Antioch,  par^ 
ticularly  enjoins,  "  Let  every  lover  of  Jesus 
celebrate  for  their  sabbath  the  Lord's  day, 
the  Queen  and  Princes  of  all  days"  Justin 
^lartyrt  who  lived  towards  the  end  of  thq 
second  century  relates  that  •'  on  Sunday  we 
all  usually  assemble,  because  that  is  the  day 
in  which  Jesus  Christ  cur  Saviour  arose  fron> 
the  dead,  and  appeared  to  his  Apostles,  and 
disciples  :"  and  he  mentions  in  the  same  apo- 
logy that  on  "  that  day  all  in  city  and  country 
convene  into  the  same  place,  and  commenta- 
ries of  the  apostles,  and  the  scriptures  of  the 
prophets  are  read-'' 

We  therefore  conclude  that  as  the  sabbath 
is  an  ordinance  of  perpetual  obligation,  it  \% 
now  changed  from  the  seventh  to  the  first  day 
of  the  week, and  that  in  the. observation  of  that 
day  we  are  sanctioned  by  the  example  of  otif 

*   Ignatii  epistolce  ad  Mngncsios, 
X  Jpolugia  secuuda  pro  Clifutianu, 


K^ermon  5.  123 

Lord,  of  his  apostles,  and  of  their  successors 
for  centuries  after  the  erection  of  the  New- 
Testament  church. 

It  remains  to  enumerate — - 
ir.  The  duties  which  we  ought   with  dili- 
gence  to  discharge  on  that  day. 

1.   Devout  meditation  is  one  duty   incum- 
bent upon  us  in  the  morning  ofthe  holy  sabbath. 
Had  man  remained  in  his  original   purity  his 
chief  employment  every  seventh  day  would 
have  been  to  contemplate  the  perfections  of 
his  God  as  manifested  in  the  material  world  : 
He  would   have   admired  that  power  which 
created  from  nothing  the   immense  fabric  of 
the  universe  ;  that  wisdom  which  arranged  e- 
very  species  of  Being,  animate  and  inanimate, 
with  such  consummate   order,  and  that  exu- 
berant bounty  which  provided  for  the  necessi- 
ties of  all ;   he  would  especially  have  adored 
the  distinguishing  goodness  of  Jehovah  to  man 
in  forming  him  after  his  own  image  and  like-^ 
ness,  in  appointing  him   lord  of  this   lower 
world,  and  thus  assigned  him  a  rank  so  hon- 
orable among  the  creatures  of  his  hand,  and 
at  each  contemplation  of  nature  his  soul  must 
have  ascended  in  ardent  affections  to  nature's 
God  :  As  devout  meditation  would  have  been 
the  chief  employment  of  innocent  man  on  the 
seventh  day,  it  cannot  be  less  appropriate  fcr 
redeemed  sinners  on  the  first  day  of  the  week. 
On  the   former  Adam  beheld   the   finishing 
stroke  given  to  the  outward  creation,  and  in 
the  latter  we  see  the  consummation  ofthe  work 


124  Sermon  5, 

ofour  redemption  in  the  resurrection  of  otir 
Lord,  and  his  rest  from  ail  the  toils  and  re- 
proach of  his  mediatorial  undertaking  :  When 
the  natural  sun  arises  we  may  reflect  that  on 
that  mcrningJesuSylviS infinitely  illustrious  Ar- 
chetype,arose  from  the  dead  :  that  he  came  fonh 
from  the  grave  as  the  Conqueror  of  sin,  arid 
Satnn,  and  death,  and  hell,  and  that  in  the  re- 
surrection of  the  Head  there  is  a  certain  pledge 
of  the  resurrection  of  all  his  living  members  : 
At  each  contemplation  of  the  risen  Saviour, 
of  which  QWQry  return  of  the  Sabbath  is  a  live- 
ly memorial,  the  believer  has  new  reason  to 
utter  the  triumphant  challenge,  *'  death, where 
is  thy  sting,  grave,  wliere  is  thy  victory  ? 
Thanks  be  unto  God  that  giveth  me  the  vic- 
torv  throu2:h  Jesus  Christ  mv  Lord,"  and  this 
assurance  of  final  victory  in  his  glorious  revi- 
val,  and  ascension.  This  appears  to  have 
been  the  exercise  of  John  the  livangelist  when 
he  declares,  "  I  was  in  the  spirit  on  the  Lord's 
day  :'*  I  was  in  the  spirit  through  the  breath- 
ings of  the  Holy  Ghost  and  on  the  wings  of 
devout  contemplation  I  was  enabled  to  soar 
above  this  world,  and  all  its  empty  shadows  t 
I  was  transported  v/ith  delightful  reflections 
on  the  past,  and  longing  anticipations  of  that 
glory  which  is  yet  to  be  revealed. 

2.  Secret  prayer  is  another  exercise  highly 
suitable  on  the  morning  of  the  christian  Sab- 
bath. That  duty  which  is  incumbent  on  eve- 
ry day  is  peculiarly  incumbent  on  the  Lord's 
dav,  because  on  that  day  Jehovah  more  espe- 


Sermon  5.  125 

cially  waits  to  be  gracious,  and  delights  in  dis- 
pensing   mercy     to    the    humble    suppliant. 
While  we  view  with  adoring  wonder  the  mys- 
teries of  redeeming  love,  it   should  be   our 
prayer  that  we  may  be  enabled  to  walk  wor- 
thy of  our  privileges,  and  prospects  ;  that  the 
Father  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ  would  sanc- 
tif\  us  in  soul  and  body,  and   dispose   us  to 
employ   all  the  mem.bers  of   both  as    instru- 
ments of  righteousness  for  his  glory  ;  that  as 
*'  he  spared  not  his  own  Son  but  delivered  him 
up  for  us  all"  he    would  grant  us  full  remis- 
sion of  sin  through  his  perfect  sacrifice,  and 
every  pledge  of  divine  love  through  his  inter- 
cession ,  that  as  we  live  in  a  world  of  tempta- 
tion he  would  keep  us  unspotted  from  its  pol- 
lutions ;  that  as  we  are  exposed  to  troubles 
on  the  right  hand,  and  the  left  he  would  give 
us  the  sanctified  use  of  them,  support  us  un- 
der them,   and  in  his  own  time  aflbrd  us  an  e- 
ternal   redemption   from   them;   that   as   the 
christian  sabbath  was  intended  to  be  a  pattern 
of  that  perfect,  everlasting  rest  which  is  pre- 
pared for  the  righteous  in  the   heavenly  state 
he  would  subdue  each  worldly  appetite,  would 
inspire  us  ^vith  every  holy   affection,  would 
gram  us  in  large  measure  the  consolations  of 
his  spirit,  and  thus  fill  us  with  longing  desires 
aftei'  those  full  joys  which  may  l>e  expected  in 
his   immediate   presence  \  that,  if  we  reside 
within  reach  of  the  sanctuary,  he  would  britig 
us  to  his  house   of  prayer  as  an  earnest  of  in- 
troducing us  hereafter  to  the  *'  heavenly  Je- 
L  2 


126  Sermon  5. 

rusalem,  the  city  of  the  Living  God,"  that,  ia 
sitting  clown  with  the  congregation  of  his  peo^ 
pie,  we  may  be  looking  forward  for  an  ad- 
mission to  the  *  general  assembly,  the  church 
of  the  first  born  which  are  written  in  heaven'* 
to  go  no  more  out.  With  what  holy  impor- 
tunity did  Moses  thus  supplicate  in  approach- 
ing the  mount,  '-'•  Lord,  shew  me  thy  glory." 
David  ardently  entreats,  '*  O  send  out  thy 
light,  and  thy  truth,  kt  them  lead  me,  let  them 
bring  me  unto  thy  holy  hill,  and  to  thy  taber- 
nacles.'" 

Reading  the  scriptures,  family  instruction, 
family  devotion,  and  fimiliar  conversation  on 
divine  subjects  which  are  encumbent  e\erv 
day  are  more  especially  proper  on  the  Lord's 
day.  More  leisure  is  then  enjoyed,  and  there- 
fore more  tim.e  should  be  occupied  in  exhorts 
ing  one  another  ;  in  repeating  the  great  and 
precious  promises,  and  in  praying  with,  and 
for  each  other.  That  divine  injunction  wiih 
which  we  ought  to  comply  every  day  as  both 
our  duty,  and  privik  ge  mi:y  with  greater  con- 
venience be  fulfilled  on  the  si  bbath,  *'  k  t 
the  word  of  Christ  dv»'ell  in  you  richly  in  all 
wisdom,  teaching  and  admonishing  one  ano- 
ther in  psalms,  and  h}  mns,  and  spiritual 
songs."  'I he  church  ought  thus  to  be  main- 
tained in  the  house  by  praj  er,  by  praii:e,  by 
instruction,  by  spirltna)  conversation,  aiid 
each  member  of  die  family  by  such  exercises 
inay  be  instrumental  in  promoting  the  graces^ 
and  in  fitting  for  glory  the  otlier  members. 


Sermon  5.  127 

But  no  private  exercises  either  of  the  closet 
or  the  Family  should  be  permitted  to  iiUeifcre 
with 

3.  The  still  more  important  duty  of  atteii' 
ding  the  public  ordinances  of  the  sanctuary, 
I  am  confident  that  the  discharge  of  no  religi- 
ous  duty  interfering  with,  much  less  prevent- 
ing the  discharge  of  this  will  be  acceptable 
with  Jehovah.  It  is  in  the  sanctuary  that  he 
has  particularly  commanded  us  "  not  to  for. 
get  assembling  ourselves  together,'*  and  he 
has  assured  us  that  there  he  delights  more  than 
in  all  the  dwellings  of  Jacob,  and  therefore  to 
neglect  repairing  thither  \\\\i.-\\  opportunity 
offers  is  equally  a  contempt  of  his  authority, 
and  love  ;  besides,  it  is  by  going  publicly  to 
the  temple  of  the  living  God  that  we  bear  the 
most  open,  honorable  testimony  of  our  attach- 
ment to  his  cause.  By  repairing  with  beco- 
ming solemnity  to  the  courts  of  his  worship  ; 
by  deliberately  taking  our  seats  among hispro- 
fessed  followers  ;  by  devoutly  uniting  with 
them  in  praise,  prayer,  and  the  various  exer- 
cises of  religion  we  practically  declare  that  we 
are  not  '*  ashamed  of  his  gospel."  Indeed,  if 
the  ministry  of  reconciliation  should  cease, 
or  public  ordinances  be  superseded  we  cannot 
conceive  a  visible  church  in  the  world  :  the 
religion  of  Jesus,  as  to  its  external,  visible 
form  must  utterly  cease.  And  perhaps  it  is 
not  presumptuous  to  suppose  that  one  reason 
of  the  sabbath  was  that  .^11  mi  ,ht  have  oppor- 
tunity of  engaging  together  in  the  worship  af 


128  Sermon  5. 

the  living  God.    Those  therefore  who  fortri- 
fiinjy     considerations    withdraw   from    public 
ordinances,  and  the  communion  of  the  fdith- 
ful  may  be   actuated  by  an    honest,   but    un- 
questionably  it   must  be  a    niisij;uided    zeal. 
*'  The  Lord  hath  chosen  Zion,   hath    desired 
it  for  his  habitation,"  and  promises   "  abun- 
dantly to  bless  her  provision:  '  There  like  a 
munificent   Prince  he  dispenses  his  royal  fa- 
vors among  his    subjecis,  there  he  qualifies 
them  gradually    for    encircling  his  throne   of 
glory  in  the  heavens,  and  for  the  full  partici- 
pation of  those  privileges  which  arereserveda- 
bove  for    such  as  ''  overcome  by  the  word  of 
their  testimony.'     While  David  regarded  the 
sabbath  as  the  most  precious  day  ofihe  seven 
he  esteemed  the  hours   of  public  worship  as 
incomparably  the  most  precious  hours  of  that 
day       "  How  amiable  are  thy  tabernacles,  O 
Lord  of  hosts  !   Blessed  are  they  that  dwell  in 
thy  house  :   For  a  d\y  in  thy  courts  is  better 
than  a  thousand.      I  had    rather    be  a  door- 
keeper in  the  liouse  of  my  God  than  to  dwell 
in  the  tents  of  wickedness."      An  instance  of 
profound  veneration  for  the  sanctuary  of  his 
God  was  manifested  by  a  lute  noblemjm  in  Y.n- 
gland  ;  one  whose  name  i  have  often  mention- 
ed,and  always  with  exquisite  j)leasure, because 
he  was  eminently  great  and  good  ;  the  talents 
of  the  man  shed  lustre  upon  the  graces  of  the 
christian,  and  the   graces  of  the  christian  re- 
flected back  a  still  brighter  lustre  on  the  ta- 
lents of  the  man.     'When  this  nobleman  was 


Sermon  5.  129 

«t:ern'in,^iy  unable  throupjh  the  infirmities  of 
age,  and  cncreasing  bodily  indisposition  to 
attend  the  celebration  of  the  Lord's  supper  in 
the  church,  the  Bishop  waited  upon  him  in 
the  morning  and  proposed  to  convey  the  ele- 
ments to  his  own  room.  To  which  he  repli- 
ed with  apparent  extacy,  *'  No  :  my  Master 
has  prepared  an  entertainment  for  me  in  his 
own  house,  I  will  go  there,  and  partake." 
He  was  carried  to  the  temple  of  the  Lord,  pub- 
licly partook  of  the  supper,  and  then  carried 
back  to  his  room.  In  a  few  days  the  earthly 
house  of  his  tabernacle  was  dissolved,  and 
no  doubt  his  soul  enjoyed  an  abundant  en- 
trance into  the  celestial  sanctuary  from  which 
there  is  no  departure,  and  participated  at  that 
table  which  shall  never  be  uncovered. 

The  celebration  of  the  ordinance  of  the 
Lord's  supper  is  another  duty  incumbent  on 
the  christian  sabbath  to  which  we  ought  to  at- 
tend whenever  opportunity  is  enjoyed.  He 
who  has  commanded,  **  remember  the  sab- 
bath and  keep  it  holy,"  has  also  enjoined  upon 
all  his  followers,  *'  do  this  in  remembrance 
of  me:  As  often  as  ye  eat  this  bread,  and 
drink  this  cup,  ye  do  shew  the  Lord's  death 
until  be  come.'*  And  it  is  evident  from  the 
history  of  the  church  for  centuries  after  the 
ascension  of  our  Redeemer  that  the  adminis- 
tration of  this  ordinance  constituted  a  chief 
part  of  public  worship.  It  is  therefore  rela- 
ted of  the  first  converts  **  that  they  continu- 
ed stedfivstly  in  the  apostles  doctrine,  and  fel- 


130  Sermon  5. 

lowship,  and  in  BREAKING   of   bread,  and 
prayer  :  *  It  is  also  recorded  that  when  *'  the 
disciples  came  together  to  break   bread  Paul 
preached  unto  them  :  '  Breaking  of  bread,  or 
the  celebration  of  the  Redeemer's  supper,  in 
which  bread  is  one  elem.ent,  is  here  represent- 
ed as  their  principal  employment  when  assem- 
bled together.   Audit  is  related  by  Justin  Mar- 
tyr, a  Father  in  the  antient  church, that  *'  after 
the  writings  of  the  apostles,  and  prophets  were 
expounded,  bread  and  wine  were  brought  for- 
ward and  received  in  the  name  of  the  Lord." 
Such    are   the  public  exercises  of  religion 
which  ought  to  be  performed  on  the   Lord's 
day,  and  permit  meto  remark  that  each  should- 
be  performed  with   due  order,  and  solemnit}'. 
All  who  attend  the  services   of  the  sanctuary 
ishould  conscientiously  aim  at  being  seated  be- 
fore the  service  is^commenced  ;  otherwise  the 
beauty  of  the  ordinance  is  tarnished,  and  the 
edification  of  others  is  prevented  :   Besides, 
how  can  they  who  loiter  five,   or  ten  minutes 
after  the  exercise   begins  unite  their    hearts 
with    the  minister  when  as  the  mesbcnger  of 
the  Lord  of  hosts  he  calls  upon  them  "to  wor- 
ship God  in   reading  such  a  chapter,  or  sing- 
ing such  a  portion  of  a  psalm  ?  It  might  also 
be  mentioned  that  unnecessarily  to  waste  our 
time  until  the  duties  of  the   temple  are   com- 
menced looks  as  if  we  were  afraid  of  '•  being 
detained    before  the   Lord,''    and  that  these 
exercises  are  rather  a  drudgery  than  a  delight. 
Agjun,  as   we  ought  to  be   conscientious  in 


^^rmon  5,  131 

taking  our  seat  In  the  sanctuary  before  the  ex- 
ercises of  religion  begin,  we  ought  to  be  al- 
so conscientious  in  keeping  our  seats  until  the 
exercises  are  concluded.  They  who  discover 
an  impatience  to  withdraw  before  the  services 
are  e:ided  practically  say,  *'  behold!  what  a 
weariness  is  it  P  When  v/ill  the  ordinances  be 
over  ?"  But  they  who  I'etire  unnecessarily 
before  the  congregation  is  dismissed  not  only 
manifest  contempt  for  the  institution,  but  pre- 
vent their  own  edification.  No  part  of  the 
ordinance  is  more  solemn,  more  interesting 
than  the  conclusion,  the  benediction  devoutly 
pronounced  in  the  name  of  Jehovah.  Who 
would  not  v/ait  a  few  moments  in  the  pros- 
pect of  participating  in  the  "  grace  of  our  Lord 
Jesus  Christ,  and  the  love  of  God,  and  the 
communion  of  the  Holy  Ghost  :' 

The  sanctification  of  the  sabbath  is  not  fin- 
ished when  the  ordniances  of  the  temple  are 
ended  :  The  evening  of  the  sacred  day  should 
be  employed  in  self-examination  :  All,  after 
retiring  to  their  habitation,  should  be  enquir- 
ing liow  they  were  enabled  to  conduct  in  the 
church  of  the  Living  God  ;  whether  their 
hearts  were  united,  and  elevated  with  their 
voices  in  the  duty  of  praise  ;  whether  in  pray- 
er they  experienced  some  enlargement,  wrest- 
ling with  the  redeeming  Angel  for^his  blessing 
on  themselves  and  others  ;  whether  they  re- 
ceived the  message  of  life  from  the  lips  of  the 
preacher  with  due  affection,  and  solemnity, 
*V  desiring  as  new  born  bab^s  the  sii^cere  milk 


152  Sttmon   5. 

of  the  ward,  that  they  might  grow  thereby  ;'* 
and  whether  in  receiving  the  sacramental 
br^ad  and  wine  they  enjo3ed  any  tifiecting, 
transporting  views  of  Jesus  the  Mediator  as 
^*  wounded  and  bruised  for  them  :"  Hie 
christian  should  aim  at  concluding  the  Lord's 
day  with  lively  meditations  upon  the  heavenly 
state,  by  looking  with  fervent  desires  for  that 
sabbath  which  shall  be  succeeded  by  no  night, 
and  that  service  of  his  God  which  shall  be  lir 
able  to  no  interruption. 

We  may  apply  this  subject- — 

1.  In  admiring  the  wisdom  and  condesceur 
sion  of  the  Great  God  in  the  institution  of  a 
sabbath;  in  appointing  one  day  in  seven  for 
the  purer,  and  more  important  exercises  of  re- 
ligion ;  that  he  has  rendered  it  our  duty  on  that 
day,  as  it  is  our  privilege,  to  retire  from  the 
pursuits  of  this  passing  world,  and  attend  to 
the  great  concerns  of  the  world  to  come.  The 
rest  of  the  sabbath,  in  whatever  light  we  con- 
sider it,  must  be  regarded  as  a  most  wise  and 
merciful  arrangement  of  Jehovah.  It  gives 
relief  to  the  bodies  of  men  by  suspending 
them  from  the  labors  of  life,  and  thus  condu- 
ces^to  our  health,  and  temporal  comfort :  This 
occasional  interruption  in  ourw^orldly  pursuits 
is  also  a  m-ian  of  disengaging  us  from  earth, 
to  which  all  are  unduly  attached  r  Man  by 
uniting  in  the  exercises  of  social  worship  is 
brought  into  habits  of  greater  intimacy  with 
man  ;  they  are  led  to  sympathise  more  ten- 
derly in  the  distresses  of  each  other,  and  thus 


'Sermon  5.  153 

all  the  nobler  feelings  of  the  heart  are  cherish- 
ed. But  there  is  another  light  in  which  this 
ordinance  appears  incomparably  more  impor- 
'tant.  It  is  a  principal  mean  of  our  fellowship 
with  the  Father  of  spirits,  and  thus  preparins:^ 
us  for  a  happy  transition  from  this  world  to 
the  next.  Are  we  not  bound  therefore  by  e  - 
very  consideration  of  duty,  and  gratitude  to 
"  caN  the  the  sabbath  a  delight,  the  holy  of 
the  Lord  honorable,  and  to  honour  him  not 
doing  otir  own  ways,  nor  finding  our  own  plea- 
sure, nor  speaking  our  own  words  on  his  ho- 
ly day  ?" 

2.  We  learn  from  this  doctrine  that  to  c- 
mit  sanctifying  the  sabbath  as  the  Lord  God 
requires  argues  both  ingratitude  and  impiety. 
In  appointing  a  particular  day  for  his  exclu- 
sive service  he  has  afforded  a  proof  of  his  so- 
vereignty  over  us,  of  his  absolute,  unques- 
tionable right  to  a  portion  of  our  time,  but  in 
requiring  only  one  day  in  seven  he  has  made 
an  appeal  to  our  generosity.  As  oiir  Creator, 
and  Benefactor,  he  might  have  exacted  the 
.Ji/t/i,  or  Jour  th,  or  third  ^^rt  of  olxr  time,  but  "^ 
in  his  great  liberality  he  has  appointed  six 
days  for  the  use  of  man,  and  demanded  only 
the  seventh  for  himself.  Surely  then  to  waste 
that  day  in  idleness,  to  prostitute  it  in  amuse- 
ments, in  carnal  conversation,  or  worldly  em- 
ployments is  both  impious,  arid  ungrateful  : 
It  manifests  not  merely  a  want  of  reverence 
for  a  Being  infinitely  great,  but  a  want  of  love 
to  a  Being  infinitely  bounteous  and  merciful. 

M 


134  Sermon  5. 

Respect    for  his  authority,  gratitude  for  hi^ 
goodness,  and  a    concern  for  our  own  inter- 
ests all  unite  in  exciting  us  to   remeraher.the 
sabbath  and  keep  it  holy.     It  is  mentioned  by 
the  i/ispired  author  of  the  history  of  the  crea- 
tion  ''  that  the  Lord  blesse<l  the  seventh  day/* 
he  designed  it  as  a  day  in  the  sanctification  of 
which  blessings  the  most  precious  should  be 
communicated  to  his  chilclren  ;  a  day  in   the 
conscientious  observance  of  which    his   bles- 
sing  should  descend  on  their  bodies  and  souls, 
on  their  temporal,  and  everlasting  interests  j 
And  their  experience  has   often  borne  testi- 
mony both  to  the  faithfulness   and  bounly  of 
a  promising  God.      In  their  discharge  of  the 
duties  of  that  sacred  day  they  have  often  been 
fiivored  with  refreshing  intimations  of  his  love, 
and  his  blessing  has  been   known   to  crown 
their  pursuits  through  the  ensuing  week.   **  I 
have  found  by  lorig  experience,  '    says  that  il- 
lustrious personage  whom  I  noticed  in  a  for- 
mer part  of  this  discourse,  *'  I  have  found  by 
long  and  sound  experience  that  the  due   ob? 
servancc  of  that  day,  and  its  duties  has  been 
of  singular  comfort,  and  advantage  to  me  ;   it 
hath  ever    had  joined  to  it  a  blessing  on  the 
rest  of  my  time,  and  the    week   thus   begun 
hath  been  prosperous  to  me  ;  and   on  the  o^ 
ther  hand  when  I  have  been  negligent  of  the 
duties  of  that  day  the  rest  of  the  week  hath 
been  unsuccessful,  and  unhappy  to  my  secu- 
lar employments.  'I* 

*  Lord  ChifJ  Juslice  Hale's  CorUemphidons, 


Sermon  5.  135 

Let  the  christian  behold  in  each  return  of 
the  Sabbath  an  earnest  of  that  perfect,  unin- 
terrupied,  eternal  rest  which  awaits  him  in  his 
Father's  house.  The  sa[)bath  now  enjoyed 
on  earth  must  indeed  be  considered  a  preci- 
ons  ordinance  ;  it  is  an  interesting  memorial 
of  our  Redeemer's  resurrection  :  it  is  design- 
ed to  raise  our  affections  towards  him,  and 
promote  our  fellowship  with  him,  but  the  ce- 
lestial sabbath  may  be  considered  as  unspeak- 
ably more  precious.  Here  we  may  cease 
from  the  labors  and  toils  of  this  life,  but  our 
bjdiesare  still  encompassed  widi  frailties, ex- 
posed to  numerous  afflictions,  and  are  soon  fa- 
tigued with  the  duties  of  religion  either  pri- 
vate, or  public,  but  there  x\\q:  inhabitants  shall 
be  strangers  to  all  infirmities,  and  afflictions  ; 
they  shall  be  possessed  ©f  undecaying  vigor, 
and  capable  of  unceasing  exertion  in  the  wor- 
ship of  their  God :  Here  our  best  services 
whether  in  the  closet,  or  family,  or  sanctuary, 
are  attended  with  manifold  imperfections;  we 
cannot  pray  with  that  fervor,  we  cannot  praise 
with  that  elevation,  we  cannot  meditate  with 
that  composure,  we  cannot  preach  with  that 
earnestness,  we  cannot  hear  with  that  affection, 
we  cannot  receive  the  symbols  of  the  body 
and  blood  of  our  dear  Lord  with  that  contri- 
tion or  gratitude  afier  which  we  would  aspire, 
but  there  all  these  causes  of  complaint,  and 
Immiliation  \v\\\  be  forever  removed  ;  no 
cloud  will  cast  its  shade  over  the  under- 
standing, no  chill  will  be  felt  in  the  heart,  but 


136  Scnnon  5, 

every  thought  will  wing  its  fiight  towards  the' 
throne,  and  every  soul  in  return  will  be  *'  fil- 
Jed  with  all  the   fulness  of  God,"     Here    our 
seasons  of  most  intimate  communion  with  our 
Father  are   embittered  with  some  disagreea- 
ble, or  mortifying  rcfiections,  with  humilia- 
ticMi  jor  the  past,  or  anxiety  about  the  future, 
but  there  the  rest  of  the  soul  in  Jehovah  will 
be  undisturbed  by  any  thing  within  or   with- 
out,  and  its  felieity  in  the  perfect    vision  of 
his  glory  v/ill  be  uninterrupted.     Ye  children 
of  the  kingdom,  is  the  sabbath  on  earth  thus 
a  representation  of  a  better  rest,  or  keeping  of> 
c  sabbath  in  heaven  ;  is  the  former  designed' 
.'ss  preparatory  to  the  latter,  be  not  slothful  in 
the  discharge  of  its  duties  :  Aspire  after  a  de- 
gree of  that  ardor  which  expands  the  bosoms 
of  those  who  have  gone  before  you   **  to  that 
rest  which  remains  for  the  people  of  God  ;'^ 
aim,  as  far  as  may  be  possible,  in  this  state  of 
imperfection,  at  spending  each  sabbath  as  you 
expect  to  spend  it  in  heaven  :  As   a  mean  of- 
preparing  you  for  being  in  the  spirit  o?i    the 
Lord's  clay,  be  looking   forward  to  it  on  the 
evening   of  Saturday  ;   be  careful  to   arrange 
every  worldly  bushiess  which  might  disturb^ 
or    distract    on    the    morning    of    that  day, 
and  endeavor  to  stir  up  your  souls  for  its  du- 
ties by  prayer  and  meditation.     This  was  the 
example  of  our  pious  fore-fiithers  in  Europe, 
and  America,  and   the  devout  imitation    of 
their  example  might  tend  to  your  edification, 
and  comfort.     See  that,  in   repairing   to  the 


Sermon  5,  137 

Iioiise  of  God  on  that  day,  you  be  accompa- 
nied with  your  families  :  Every  parent,  or 
master,  when  seated  in  the  sanctuary,  should 
be  ready  to  adopt  the  appeal  of  the  Roman 
centurian,  "  now,  therefore,  are  we  all  here 
present  before  God  to  hear  all  things  which 
are  commanded  thee  of  God  ."  Or  the  reso- 
lution of  a  worthy  servant*"  of  Jesus  who  is 
now  high  in  heaven,  ''  my  whole  family 
is  to  be  at  court  to  morrow ;  the  king  of  hea- 
ven hath  sent  positive  orders,  and  he  will  not 
excuse  either  man-servant  or  maid -servant.'' 
He  who  instituted  the  sabbath  has  given 
charge  respecting  fhi/  son  and  da  light  er^  and 
man-servant  and  maid- servant.  Next  to  your 
own  salvation  be  solicitous  for  the  salvation 
of  your  families,  and  use  this,  and  every  o- 
ther  mean  that  is  calculated  to  promote  it. 
With  some  readers  of  these  pages  the  night 
is  probably  far  spent,  and  the  morning  of  glo- 
ry m-.iy  soon  be  expected  to  dawn,  a  morning 
to  be  obscured  by  no  cloud,  nor  succeeded 
by  any  night,  be  admonished  therefore  '^  to 
put  off  the  works  of  darkness,  and  to  put  on 
the  armor  of  light  " 

Until  this  day  break,  and  these  shadows 
flee  away,  turn,  our  beloved,  and  be  thou  like 
a  roe,  or  a  young  halt  upon  the  mountains 
of  Bether. 

*  The  Rei\  James  Mervey. 
M  2 


SERMON  VI. 

JEREMIAH     X,    25. 

Pour  out  thy  fury  upon  the— 'families  that  caU 
not  on  thy  name. 

"  SAY  ye   to  t]>e    righteous  that  it 
sliall  be  well  with  him,  for  they  shall  eat  the 
fruit  of  their  doings  ;  but  woe  unto  the  wick- 
ed, it  shall  be  ill  with  him  ;  for  the  reward  of 
his  hands  shall  be  given  him."     This  admo- 
nition was  uttered   by  the  authority    of  that 
God  who  is  equally  true  to  his  promises  and 
threatnings,  and  will  see  to  the  accomplish- 
iiient  of  both  either  sooner  or   later.     To  a 
superficial   observer  there  generally  appears 
**  but  one  event  to  all,"    yet  the  true  follow- 
ers of  Jesus  have   consolations  to  which  the 
children  of  this  world  are  altogether  strangers,^^ 
Tiud  thev    know    from    experience    that  **iii 
keeping  his  coramaadments  there  is  great  re- 
ward.'     His  most  favorite  friends  are  called 
occasionally  to  take  uptheir  cross,  yet  througli 
divine  strength  secretly  imparted  they  are  e- 
iiabled  to  carry  it   along  with  ease,  and  find 
in  the   end  that  it  conduces  both  to  their  ad- 
vantage,, and  comfort.     All  dieir  outward  af- 
flictions and  disappointments  are   converted; 
into  salutary   corrections,  and  rendered  sub- 
servient to  their  holiness  here,  and  their  hap- 
piness forever.     They  may  be,  and  often  are 
placed  in  circumstances  of  temporal  poverty,. 
J  et  their  tittle  is  better,  inore  truly  mtisfyivg 


Sermon  6.  139 

than  the  riches  of  many  wicked.  Their  dispo- 
sitions through  the  sanctifying  influences  of 
the  spirit  are  brought  down  to  a  level  with 
their  lot,  and  ''  they  learn  both  how  to  be  a- 
based  and  how  to  abound."  The  most  bit- 
ter ingredient  in  any  cup  is  sweetened  fron 
the  consideration  that  it  is  infused  by  the  hand 
of  a  skilful,  loving  Father,  and  is  really  in- 
tended for  their  profit.  But  the  situation  of 
the  unrighteous  is  a  dreadful  reverse.  The 
curse  of  an  uncovenanted  God  rests  on  their 
persons,  their  pursuits,  and  infuses  worm- 
wood and  gali  into  all  their  enjoyments. 
'*  Their  riches  are  corrupted:*'  their  seem- 
ing happiness  is  but  splendid  misery,  and  all 
their  apparent  glory  no  more  than  varnished 
disgrace.  "  The  curse  of  the  Lord  is  on  the 
house  of  the  wicked,'*  or  agreeably  to  the 
imprecation  of  the  prophet,  "  he  will  pour 
his  fury  upon  the — families  that  call  not  on 
his  name.'* 

Calling  upon  the  name  of  the  I^ord  is  an  ex- 
pression which  frequently  occurs  in  the  sacred 
writings,  and  comprehends  the  various  parts 
of  religious  worship.  When  mankind  after 
the  revelation  of  the  promise  in  paradise  first 
assembled  for  public  and  social  homage  they 
are  represented  as  ^^  beginning  to  call  upon 
the  name  of  the  Lord  :"  And  the  apostle  in 
addressing  the  Corinthian  church  salutes  with 
believers  in  that  city  "  all  that  in  every  place 
call  upon  the  name  of  Jesus  Christ.'  The 
expression  as  it  occurs  in  our  text  may  be 


140  Sermon  6. 

considered  in  the  same  comprehensive  light, 
and  as  therefore  containing  a  severe  admoni- 
tion to  those  v;ho  habitually  neglect  the  duty 
of  familv  reli2:ion. 

Some,  as  amcan  of  quieting  any  fears  which 
might  be  excited  by  this  denunciation,  have 
remarked  that  the  word  translated  family 
more  properly  signifies  a  kingdom,  or  nation, 
but  this  criticism  although  correct  lessens 
neither  the  guilt  nor  danger  of  those  who  live 
w  ithout  family  devotion.  If  irrtligion  in  a  na- 
tion constitutes  a  heathenish  nation  and  incurs 
the  displeasure  of  God,  irreligion  in  a  fL\mi!y 
mustnoless  constitute  ahealhenish  fiiniily,c!nd 
expose  to  the  rod  of  his  wrath.  *'  For  if  hea- 
thens,'* as  a  judicious  v/riter  has  noticed, 
*'  be  described  by  this  that  they  cell  not  on 
God,  then  it  must  be  a  heathenish  kiiigdom 
that  has  not  public  worship,  and  also  a  hea- 
thenish person  that  lives  without  secret  wor- 
ship, and  also  a  heathenish  family  that  does 
not  maintain  family  worship.-' 

This  subject  may  be  considered  by  exhibi- 

tmg, 

I.  The  duty  and  advantages  of  maintaining 
family  religion,  and 

IL  The  judgments  imprecated  on  those  by 
whom  it  is  habitually  neglected — 

1.  Gratitude  to  that  Being  who  forms  us 
into  a  f.imily  capacity,  and  sustains  in  that 
capacity,  reasonably  obliges  us  to  the  per- 
formance of  this  duty.  If  individuals  are  ob- 
ligated to  love  and  s^rve  their  Cieator,  fami- 


Sermon  6.  141 

lies  being  little  societies  are  obligated  by  con- 
siderations equally  powerful  to  render  him 
social  homage.  Surely  if  that  God  who  for- 
med our  persons  deserves  the  tribute  of  our 
personal  adoration,  and  praise,  having  form- 
ed us  into  families,  and  preserved  in  that  rela- 
tion he  is  not  less  entitled  to  the  tribute  of  our 
family  adoration,  and  praise.  They  who  are 
joint  sharers  of  the  divine  goodness  support- 
ing them  in  life,  supplying  their  daily  wants, 
and  crowning  them  with  many  expressions  of 
his  love  are  called  to  unite  in  adorina:  the 
common  Author  of  their  benefits.  Is  it  not 
reasonable  that  they  who  are  accessary  to  the 
guilt  of  each  other  by  failing  in  the  discharge 
of  relative  duties,  or  in  irritating  the  corrup- 
tions of  each  other  should  unite  in  asking  at 
the  mercy-seat  the  forgiveness  of  their  trans- 
gressions P  Should  not  that  master  whom  Je- 
hovah has  accommodated  with  servants,  or 
that  parent  whom  he  has  honored  with  chil- 
dren discover  a  concern  for  their  souls  by 
praying  with  them  and  for  them,  and  by  read- 
ing in  their  presence  the  holy  scriptures  as  an 
ordinance  divinely  appointed  for  their  instruc- 
tion and  salvation  ?  Some  forms  of  religion 
were  usually  observed  by  families  even .  a- 
mong  the  unenlightened  heathen.  Impressed 
with  a  sense  of  their  dependance  on  the  Di- 
vine Being,  and  gratitude  to  Him  as  the  Au- 
thor of  their  enjoyments  they  had  their  Lares 
and  Penatesy  household  images  which  thejr 


14^  Sermon  6- 

occasionally    worshipped    by  sacrifice,    ahrf 
prayer. 

But  this  duty  which  is  suggested  by  grati- 
tude for  mercies  enjo\  ed— 

2.  Receives  additional  weight  from  the  po- 
sitive, and  repeated  commands  of  the  Living 
God       'J'he  exercises  of  prayer,  and  praise, 
and  reading  the  scriptures  are  particularly  e- 
ilurnerated,  and  recommended  to  our  obser- 
,vation.     *'  The  house  of  Israel,  the  house  of 
Aaron,  and  the  house  of  Levi,"  the  professed 
disciples  of  Jcbus,  whether  in  private  or  pub- 
lic stations,  are  exhorted  "  to  bless,  or  praise 
the  Lord.  '     This  injunction  is  evidently  ad- 
dressed to  them  not  in  an  individual,  but  in  a 
frimily   or  social   capacity.      *'  The  house  of 
Israel,  the  house  of  Aaron,  the  house  ol  Levi,'* 
which  are  here  mentioned,  cannot  imply  mere- 
ly the  individuals  who  constitute  these  differ- 
ent households,  but  ail  these  individuals  col- 
lectively considered,  and  really  engaging  m 
acts  of  social  homage  ;  neither  can   we  con- 
(ieive  how  the  command  is  fulfilled  unless  the 
various   members  of  the  fiimily  unite  in  the 
Exercise  of  thanksgiving  and  praise.     We  are 
dnjoined  also  to  *'  let  the  word  of  Christ  dwell 
in  us  richly  in  all  wisdom,  teaching  and  ad- 
itionishing  one  another  in  psalms,  and  hymns, 
and  spiritual  songs  :   To  teach  the  statutes  of 
Jehovah  diligently  unto  our  children,  and  to 
talk  of  them  when  we  are  sitting  in  the  house, 
find  walking  by  the  way  ;   when  we  are  lying 
down,  and  rising  up.'      Now,  can  we  ima- 


Sermon  6.  143 

ginc  that  these  commands  are  performed  un- 
less families  appropriate  seasons  for  stated  de- 
votions; unless  they  embrace  opportunities 
for  reading,  or  repeating  the  sacred  oracles, 
and  also  join  in  singing  a  portion  of  a  hymn  or 
a  psalm  i^  It  is  also  the  divine  injunction  that 
"  we  pray  without  ceasing,'  that  is,  that  we 
have  stated  seasons  for  this  exercise,  and  that 
such  seasons  be  not  unnecessarily  neglected  ; 
"  that  we  pray  every  where  lifting  up  holy 
hands  without  wrath  or  doubting.''  Holy 
men  of  God,  therefore,  in  all  ages  appear  to 
have  considered  the  observance  of  reli^gion  in 
their  families  as  not  only  their  duty,  but  aho 
their  delight,  and  privilege.  Abraham  is  re- 
presented as  "  teaching  his  children,  and 
household  to  keep  the  ways  of  the  Lord,"  and 
we  behold  this  patriarch  in  travelling  from 
country  to  country  erecting  "  his  altar,  and 
calling  upon  the  name  of  Jehovah.'  It  is  also 
recorded  of  Job  that  "he  sent,  and  sanctified 
his  children,  and  rose  up  early  in  the  morning, 
and  offered  burnt  offerings  according  to  the 
number  of  them  all  :"  This^  it  is  added,  did 
Job  continually.  How  often,  or  at  what  par- 
ticular periods  of  the  day  families  should  unite 
for  devotional  services  is  not  explicitly  men- 
tioned in  scripture  :  This  the  Lord  God  has 
kft  in  some  measure  discretionary,  as  an  ap- 
peal to  our  gratitude  for  the  profusion  of  his 
mercies,  or  perhaps  to  accommodate  himself 
to  the  varying  circumstances  of  his  children  : 
Some  of  the  saints,  therefore,  whose  lives  are 


144  Sermon  %, 

recorded  in  sacred  history,  have  been  employ^ 
-ed  more  frequently,  and  others  more  rarely  in 
this  exercise.  That  the  duty  of  family  reli- 
gion ought  to  be  observed,  at  least  morning 
and  evening,  is  so  obvious  that  arguments  to 
prove  it  appear  unnecessary.  Among  the  Jews 
the  lamb  for  sacrifice  was  regularly  offered  up 
*'  in  the  morning  and  evening."  These  are 
periods  peculiarly  calculated  to  impress  the 
contemplative  mind,  and  inspire  it  with  eleva- 
ted conceptions  of  the  majesty  of  God,  and  of 
his  constant,  superintending  providence.* — 
Each  appearance  of  the  morning  sun,  and  each 
approach  of  the  evening  shades  furnishes  a 
new,  and  interesting  proof  of  the  divine  pow- 
er and  faithfulness.  **  Day  unto  day  uttereth 
speech,  and  night  unto  night  sheweth  know- 
ledge." These  periods  are  pointed  out  by 
our  own  circumstances  as  peculiarly  seasona- 
ble for  offering  the  tribute  of  gratitude  to  our 

*  The  author  vf  ""^  Paradise  Lost,""'  with  his  usual 
elegance,  represents  ^dam  and  Eve  as  transported 
with  Joy  at  the  first  app'oach  of  evening,  and  raising 
their  hymn  of  praise  to  thtir  Great  Creator-^ 
•'  Thus  at  their  shady  lodge  both  stood. 
Both  turned,  and  under  open  sky  adored 
The    God   that  made  both  sky,   air,    earth  and 

heaven. 
Which  they  beheld,  the  vioon^s  resplendant  orb, 
j'Jnd  starry  pole :   Thou  also  madest  the  night. 
Maker  omnipotent,  and  thou  the  day  : 
But  thou  hast  promised  J I  ovi  us  two  a  race 
To  fill  the  eaitn,  who  shall  with  us  extoll 
Thy  goodness  injinite,  both  when  we  wake, 
And  when  we  seek^  as  now,  thy  gi/t  oj  sttepJ*^ 


Sermon  6.  145 

kind  Benefactor.  Are  the  members  of  a  fa- 
mily preserved  through  the  day  amidst  sur- 
rounding dangers,  and  prospered  in  their  re- 
spective employments  it  is  perfectly  reasona- 
ble, when  they  meet  in  the  evening,  to  unite 
their  hearts  in  adoring  him  who  protected  by 
his  power,  and  by  his  blessing  enabled  them 
to  profit  :  Again,  has  no  plague  been  permit- 
ted to  visit  their  abodes  in  the  night  ;  have 
they  been  kept  undisturbed  either  by  external 
violence,  or  internal  pxcident  during  the  un- 
guarded hours  of  sleep  the  hymn  of  thanks- 
giving should  be  repeated  to  the  Author  of 
their  salvation.  It  is  God  alone  who  pre- 
serves "  from  the  terror  by  night,  and  from 
the  arrow  that  flieth  by  day  ;  from  the  pesti- 
lence that  walketh  in  darkness,  and  from  the 
destruction  that  wasteth  at  noon-day."  Was 
there  nodivine  declaration  to  authorise  the 
observance,  gratitude  to  a  Benefactor  so  ge- 
nerous  must  suggest  that  "  it  is  a  good  thing 
to  give  thanks  unto  the  Lord,  and  to  sing- 
praises  unto  the  Most  High  :  To  shew  forth 
his  loving  kindness  in  the  morning,  and  his 
faithfulness  every  night.'* 

3.  A  concern  for  the  moral  improvement 
of  the  rising  gen  ration,  and  consequently  j^ 
regard  for  the  interests  of  civil  society  should 
constrain  us  to  the  conscientious  discharge  of 
this  duty.  This  is  a  sentiment  which  will 
probably  be  questioned  by  some.  They  who 
make  no  pretentions  to  godliness  either  in  its 
power  or  form,  affect  to  represent  religion  as 


146  Sermon  6. 

no  more  than  a  solemn  farce  ;  they  assert  that 
all  the  professed  tendency  of  instruction  from 
the  word  of  God  for  irnproving  the  morals  of 
mankind  is  without  foundation,  and  that  thp 
children   of  those  called  pious  parents  are  u- 
sually  as  rude  and    proiligate  as  any  other. 
But  this  assertion  pursued  to    its  full  length 
would  argue  against  the  utility  of  all  instruc- 
tion, and  reduce  civilized  society  to  a  level 
with  the  savage.  Surely  there  cannot  be  purer 
morality  than   is  taught  in  the  oracles  of  tlze 
living  God.     They  admonish  the   individual 
*'  to  live  soberly,  righteously,  and    godly  in 
this  present  world;"  to  dischargeevery  duty 
which  he  owes  to  himself,  his  generation, and 
his  God  ;   they  enjoin  upon  the  citizen  sub- 
ordination to  the  magistrate,  the  child  to  che- 
rish due  affection  for    its  parents,  and  obey 
them  in  every  lawful  command,  and  the  ser- 
vant to  promote  w  iih  fidelity  the  interests  of 
his    master  :   They  admonish,     on  the   other 
hand,  the    magistrate  not  to  be  a  *'  terror  to 
good  works,  but  to  the  evil  ;  fathers  not  to 
provoke  their   children  to   wrath"  by  an  in- 
tollerant  behaviour,  and  *'  masters  to  forbear 
threatening  know^ing    that  they    also   have  a 
master  in  heaven.''     As  no  system  of  mortilj- 
ty  is  purer  in  its  nature,  than  that  which  the 
scriptures  contain,  none  can  offer  to  the    hu- 
man mind  wx'ightier  considerations  either  cf 
rewards  to  the  virtuous,  or  of  punishm.ent  to 
the  impure.     To  deny  therefore  the  tendency 
of  religious  instruction   for  promoting  good 


Sermon  6.  147 

Qrder  in  society  is  to  deny  all  connection  be- 
tween moral  causes  and  their  effects.  But  they 
who  profess  to  nvinifest  this  contempt  of  a 
christian  education  do  not  believe  as  they  pro- 
fess, or  at  least  they  do  not  act  agreeably  to 
their  professions.  Suppose  that  they  were 
called  to  introduce  a  new  member  into  their 
families,  a  servant,  an  app  entice,  or  a  clerk 
in  whose  veracity  they  could  confide,  where 
would  they  expect  most  probably  to  find  a 
person  of  suitable  qualifications?  Would  they 
enquire  first  in  the  house  of  the  dishonest, 
the  profane,  or  intemperate  as  nurseries  of 
industry  and  virtue  ?  Would  they  not  more 
readily  go  to  those  families  where  religious  in- 
struction was  early  infused,  and  where  these 
instructions  were  enforced  by  a  correspondent 
example  ?  It  must  be  acknowledged,  indeed, 
that  some  who  were  early  instructed  in  the 
principles  of  religion,  and  '*  brought  up  in  the 
admonition  of  the  Lord"  have  afterwards 
thrown  off  restraint,  and  become  notoriously 
profligate.  But  such  instances  only  evince 
the  extreme  depravity  of  the  human  heart, and 
the  insufficiency  of  all  means  in  themselves  to 
restrain  it.  It  is  also  acknowledged  that  some 
have  become  distinguished  ornaments  both 
of  the  church  and  society  who  in  early  life  en- 
joyed neither  the  advantages  of  religious  in- 
struction or  example.  But  such  instances 
only  display  the  absolute  sovereignty  of  God, 
and  I  hat  he  can  accomplish  the  purposes  of  his 
grace  either  with,  or  without  external  meaiis^ 


148  Sermon  6. 

as  he  pleases.  But  in  ordinary  cases  ^vhcrc 
Vv'ill  you  find  a  child  affectionate  and  dutiful 
to  its  parents,  the  scliolar  respectful  and  obe- 
dient to  his  teacher,  the  servant  faithful  in 
proniotmg  the  interests  of  his  iriaster,  the 
j>eateful  neighbor,  and  the  virtuous  and  in- 
dustrious citizen  ?  I'hey  are  ordinarily  such 
as  enjoyed  the  church  in  tJieirFafher\s  house  ;. 
vrho  Vv'ere  **  brought  up  from  infancy  in  the 
nurture  andadnnonitionof  the  Lord."  To  ques- 
tion this  truth  is  toquestion  amaxim  delivered 
by  the  wisest  of  men,  and  an  inspired  preacher 
f'f  righteousness,  *'  train  up  a  child  in  the|\vay 
Jie  should  go,  and  Vvhen  he  is  old  he  will  not 
depart  from  it.'' 

4.  A  concern  more  especially  for  the  spiri- 
tual and  everlasting  interests  of  our  offspring 
should  constrain  toihe  conscientious  observ- 
ance of  family  religion.     Without   any  doubt 
hundreds  and  thousands  who  are  now  high  ia 
heaven,  who   are  shining  as  the  sun  in  their 
Father's  kingdom  ascribe  their  salvation,  un- 
der God  the  Holy  Ghost,  to  the  early  atten- 
tion of  their  parents,.and  the  instructions  which 
"were  imparted  through  their  zeal.     It  is  not 
uncommon  to  hear  persons  who  are  savingly 
called  at  the  age  of  twenty  or  thirty  years  ac- 
knowledging the  oppoitunities  enjoyed  in  ear. 
Iv  life  as  the  principal  mean  :    Although  they 
may  have  removed  far  from  the  view  of  their 
christian  friends,  and,  forgetting  their  admo-= 
nitions,  continued  long  in  the  high  road  to  de- 
struction, yet  by  some  personal  affliction^  o^ 


Strmon  6.  149 

awful  occurrence  in  providence,  they  are  af- 
terwards brought  to  reficction  :    The  prayers, 
the  tears,  the  entreaties  of  their  parents  come 
fresh  to  their  recollection,  and  prove  the  hap^ 
py  mean  of  their  repentance  and  reformation!. 
it  was  the  opinion  of  an  eminent  divine,*  who 
lived  in  a  former  age,  that  the  work  of  con* 
version  is  promoted  chiefly    by  means  of  pa- 
rental  instruction,  and  that  the  design  of  a 
public  ministry  is  rather  to  mature  the  seeds 
formerly  in\p]anted  in  the   family.     He  sup- 
j)orted  his  opinion  from  that  inspired  declara- 
tion, *'  he  .x^ave  some  evangelists,  and  some 
pastors  and  teachers  for  the  perfecting  of  the 
saints,  for  the  work  of  the   ministry,  for  the 
edifying  of  the  body  of  Christ  "     Whether 
this  sentiment  is  strictly  correct  I  shall  not  un- 
dertake   to    determine,    yet    unquestionably 
much  has  been  done  for  the  souls  of  men  and 
for  the  church  of  the  living  God,  by  the  influ- 
ence ofprecept  and  example  in  private  families. 
In  the  late  and  excellent  Mr.  Newton,  we  find 
an  interesting  example  of  the  truth  of  this  re- 
mark.    "  My   mother,'*  he   mentions  in  his 
narrative,:}:   *'  was  an    experienced  christian, 
and  almost  her  whole   employment    was  the 
care  of  my  religious  instruction  :  When  I  was 
not  more  than  three  }  ears  of  age  she  stored 
my  memory  Vv'ith  many  valuable  pieces,  por- 
tions  of  scripture,  catechisms,  and  hymns. 
How  fur  the  best   instructions  may  fall  short 
of  the  heart  will  appear  from  my  history,  yet 
*  Jir.  Richard  Baxter.         |  Lc((i;r  2* 
K  2 


150  Sermon  6. 

for  the  encouragement  of  parents  to  go  on  in 
doing  their  part  faithfully  to  form  their  chil- 
dren's minds,  I  propose  myself  an  instance. 
Though  I  sinned  away  all  the  advantages  of 
these  early  impressions,  yet  they  were  long  a 
restraint  to  me  ;  They  returned  again  and  a- 
gain,  and  when  the  Lord  at  lengdi  opened  my 
eyes  I  found  great  benefit  from  a  recollection 
of  them:  My  dear  mother  often  commended 
me  with  prayers  and  tears  to  God,  and  I  doubt 
not  but  I  reap  the  fruits  of  these  prayers  to 
this  hour."  Another  instance  equally  inter- 
esting of  the  happy  eifects  of  private  instruc- 
tion is  furnished  by  the  late  learned  and  holy 
Mr.  Brown  of  Haddington,  *'  I  reckon  it," 
he  remarked  among  his  last  interviews  with 
his  friends,  *'  I  reckon  it  one  of  my  greatest 
privileges,  and  a  mean  of  my  saving  acquain- 
tance with  Jesus  Christ  that  I  was  born  in  a 
family  where  much  attention  was  shown  to  my 
christian  education,  and  particularly  where  the 
worship  of  God  v/as  maintained  morning  and 
evening.''  Indeed  family  religion,  uhen 
performed  in  a  devout,  reverend  manner,  is 
peculiarly  adapted  for  impressing  the  youth- 
ful mind,  and  leading  it  to  the  contemplation 
of  its  Creator  and  Preserver.  When  the  pa- 
rents unite  to  sing  the  praises  of  God,  or  read 
some  portions  of  his  word,  or  to  pour  out 
their  heart  in  earnest  supplication  for  his  bles- 
sing the  attention  of  the  young  is  often  arrest- 
ed, and  they  are  led  to  enquire,  *'  what  mean 
you  by  this  service  ?"    When  the  parent  or 


Sermon  6.  151 

master  is  employed  in  cordially  deploring  their 
transgressions  as  a  family,  their  failiireii  to- 
wards God,  and  each  other ;  their  abuse  of 
mercies,  and  misimprovement  of  opportuni- 
ties the  young  are  frequently  seized  with  a 
conviction  of  guilt,  and  driven  by  a  holy  ne- 
cessity to  Jesus  as  their  only  propitiation  and 
hope. 

I  shall  only  add  as  another  argument  to  en- 
force  the  discharge  of  this  duty  a  concern  for 
the  prosperity  of  Zion  in  succeeding  genera- 
tions. Families  may  be  considered  as  nurse- 
ries for  the  church,  and  when  children  attain 
to  manhood,  venture  forward  on  the  theatre 
of  the  world,  and  form  connections  for  them- 
selves the}^  usually  imitate  such  examples  as 
were  shown  them  in  early  life.  If  they  grow 
lip  without  pious  instruction,  or  witnessing 
the  worship  of  God  statedly  performed  they 
too  generally  remain  careless,  and  in  their 
turn  present  to  their  offspring  the  same  ex- 
ample of  irreligion.  Thus  it  is  impossible  to 
conceive  the  evil  consequences  which,  in  the 
course  of  a  few  generations,  may  arise  from 
the  neglect  of  religion  in  a  single  habitation. 
Like  a  river  of  death  the  farther  it  roils  along 
the  deeper  it  sinks,  and  the  wider  it  extends 
its  ravages.  Thousands,  or  tens  of  thousands 
may  hereafter  come  forth,  and  charge  their 
eternal  ruin  to  the  indolence,  or  impiety  of  a 
single  forefather.  And  on  the  other  hand, 
"  we  know  not  what  a  church  may  arise  from 
enc  Godly  family,  what  a  harvest  may  spring 


152  Sermon  6. 

up  from  a  single  seed."  Jehovah  is  ini^-^ 
indeed  an  infinite  Sovereign,  and  can  easily 
execute  his  purposes  without  the  use  of  means 
therefore  *'  the  son  of  the  stranger  ought  not' 
in  the  language  of  despair  to  conclude  "  the 
Lord  hath  utterly  separated  me  from  his  peo- 
ple :''  Yet  in  the  kingdom  of  grace  no  less 
than  of  providence  he  usually  carries  on  his 
designs  by  secondary  causes,  and  thus  choo^ 
ses  from  the  families  of  the  righteous  those 
whom  he  consecrates  pillars  in  his  temple. — 
1  will  *'  be  a  God  to  thee,  and  to  thy  seed 
after  thee"  is  the  current  testimony  of  scrip- 
ture; *'  My  Spirit  that  is  upon  thee,  and  my 
word'j  which  I  have  put  in  thy  mouth  shall 
not  depart  out  of  thy  mouth,  nor  out  of  th& 
mouth  of  thy  seed,  nor  out  of  the  mouth  of" 
thy  seed's  seed,  saith  the  Lord,  from  hence- 
forth and  for  ever."  It  is  not  to  reward  the 
services  of  the  fathers  that  he  makes  choice 
of  their  posterity,  but  because  he  has  ordain-^ 
cd  through  the  instrumentality  of  outward 
means  to  sanctify^  and  prepare  for  glory  the 
objects  of  his  everlasting  love. 

From  this  view  of  our  obligation  *^  to  call 
on  the  name  of  the  Lord,"  and  the  advanta- 
ges arising  from  the  conscientious  discharge 
of  this  duty,  I  proceed  with  pain  to  consider^ 

IL  The  judgments  threatened  against  those 
who  habitually  neglect  it.  ''  Pour  out  thy- 
fury  upon  the  families  that  call  not  on  thy 
name." 

I  mentioned  that  it  was  with  pain  I  proceed- 


Sermon  6.  153 

ccl  ta  a  consideration  of  the  miseries  implied 
in  this  imprecation  of  the  prophet  because 
to  a  feeling,  generous  mind  it  is  much  more 
gratifying  to  allure,  than  to  alarm  ;  to  take  a 
jellow  sinner  by  the  hand  and  encourage  him 
in  the  paths  of  righteousness  by  exhibiting 
the  reward  of  glory  which  is  pronused  in  the 
end,  than  to  denounce  the  wrath  of  the  Al- 
mighty against  those  who  persevere  in  their 
iniquities.  On  this  part  of  the  subject  I  slialt 
therefore  detain  you  but  a  few  moments. 

The  fury  imprecated  by  the  prophet  may- 
imply  temporal  judgments ;  those  miseries 
which  are  inflicted  upon  the  ungodly  in  the 
present  world.  **  The  curse  of  the  Lord  is 
in  the  house  of  the  wicked  ;''  it  rests  on  their 
bodies,  their  souls,  their  estates,  or  their  re- 
putation as  divine  sovereignty  may  direct.  If 
they  are  kept  in  circumstances  of  outward  po- 
verty, this  poverty  is  their  reproach  and  their 
misery,  or  if  their  outward  condition  be  pros- 
perous, their  very  prosperity  destrotjs  them, 
''  If  thou  wilt  not  hearken  unto  the  voice  of  the 
Lord  thy  God  to  observe  to  do  all  his  com- 
mandments and  his  statutes  which  I  comm^^nd 
thee  this  day,  then  all  these  curses  shall  come 
upon  thee,  and  overtake  thee.  Cursed  shalt 
thou  be  in  the  city,  and  cursed  shalt  thou  be 
in  the  field  :  Cursed  shall  be  thy  basket  and 
thy  store  :  Cursed  shaU  be  the  fruit  of  thy 
body  and  the  fruit  of  thy  land,  the  increase  o£ 
thy  kine,  and  the  flocks  of  thy  sheep  :  Cur- 
gcd  shalt  thou  b^  when  thou  comest  in,  and 


154  Sermon  6- 

cursed  shalt  thou  be  when  thou  goerst  out  i 
The  Lord  shall  send  upon  thee  cursing,  vex- 
ation, and  rebuke  in  all  that  thou  settest  thine 
hand  unto,  until  thou  be  destroyed  and  until 
thou  perish  quickly, because  of  the  wickedness 
of  thy  doin^^s, whereby  thou  hast  forsaken  me,'^ 
Although   these  judgments  were  denounced 
against  the  literal  Israelites  they  are  frequent-* 
ly  executed  upon   those   in  all  ages  who  live 
habitually  in  the  neglect  of  Jehovah,  and  his 
ordinances.     They   may    apparently  prosper 
for  a  season  in  the  prosecution  of  their  secu- 
lar callings,  yet  his  curse  afterwards  overtakes 
them,  blasts  all  their  enterprises,  and  leaves 
them  to   disappointment  and    misery.     How 
often  does  that  wealth  which  the  ungodly  ac- 
cumulate at  one  period  of  their  lives  evanish 
at  another  period,  or  prove  their  snare  ?  How 
frequently  is  that  reputation  which  they    ac- 
quire, when  first  they  embark  on  the  ocean  of 
public  life,  suddenly    withered  and  they  af- 
terwards sink  into   abject   reproach  ?  These 
vicissitudes  in  the  condition  of  the  unrighte- 
ous often  occur  by  means  unexpected,  and  in 
a  manner  altogether  unaccountable  unless  from 
the  consideration  that  the  divine  curse  secret- 
ly rests  on  their  persons  and  pursuits.     *'  I 
have   seen  the  wicked  in  great  power,''  says 
David,  *'  and  spreading  himself  like  a  green 
bay-tree  :  yet  he  passed  away  and,  lo,  he  was 
hot,  yea,  1  sought  him  but  be  could  not  be 
found  ;  '  all  his  pomp  and  power  suddenly  e- 
vanish,  or    as   he     expresses  it     in  another 
verse,  '^  into  smoke  they  consume  away." 


Sermon  6.  X55 

But  all  the  miseries  inflicted  upon  the  wick- 
ed in  the  present  world  are  only  the  **  begin- 
ning of  their  sorrows  ;''  having  lived  without 
God  they  are  often  permitted  to  die  without 
repentance  or  hope,   and  are  the  subjects  of 
torments  inconceivably  more  exquisite  in  the 
world  to  come.     *'  The  wicked  shall  be  turn- 
ed into  hell,  and  all  the  nations,"  and  families 
'*  that  forget  God  ;"  that  pour  contempt  on 
his  authority,  and  manifest  ingratitude  for  his 
goodness  by  not  calling  upon  his  name.     This 
is  the  consummation  of  the  curses  denounced 
against  them,  and  is  fearful  beyond  the  possi- 
bility of  language  to  describe.     '^  They  shall 
be  punished  with  everlasting  destruction  from 
the  presence  of  the  Lord,  and  from  the  glory 
of  his  power.''     And  no  doubt  those  who  li- 
ved together  in  carnal  security   on  earth  ; 
whose  careless  example  or  vain  conversation 
tended  to  rock  each  other  more  fast  asleep  in 
sin  will  become   mutual  tormentors  in  hell ; 
the  view  of  each  will  be  the'sourceof  more  ag- 
gravated misery  to  the  other.     How  will  the 
recollection  of  opportunities    once  enjoyed, 
but  now  lost  forever  ;  of  occasions  in  which 
they  might  have  exhorted  one  another,  but 
neglected  to    perform  this   kindly  office  ;  of 
instances  in  which  they   perhaps   excited  the 
corruptions,   or  confirmed  the   prejudices  of 
each  other  against  Jesus  and  his  salvation,  how 
must  the  recollection  of  these  things  swell  the 
tide  of  that  wrath  which  will  overtake  and  o- 
vervYhehn  them  in  the  regions  of  damnation  ? 


156  JSermon  6. 

Very  awful  reflection,  that  persons  formerly 
most  intimate  and  clear  will  become  propor- 
tionably  the  objects  of  mutual  abhorrence  and 
execration  ?  The  child  once  the  darling  of  its 
parents  ;  their  joy  in  prosperity,  their  support 
in  adversity  will  then  become  their  unuttera- 
ble curse  by  groaning  out  its  anguish  and  as- 
cribing all  to  their  cruel  neglect.  The  hus- 
band and  the  wife  who  had  long  lived  in  har- 
mony and  love  ;  who  by  the  most  tender  ex- 
pressions of  mutual  respect  and  affection,  and 
attention  to  the  advancement  of  their  common 
interests  had  been  the  helpers  of  each  other's 
joys,  and  partners  of  each  other's  woes;  whose 
endearing,  accommodating  tempershad heigh- 
tened all  the  pleasures,  and  softened  all  the 
calamities  of  life,  but  had  neglected  to  pro- 
mote the  immortal  interests  of  each  other, 
these  W'ill  hereafter  prove  in  the  extreme  mu- 
tual tormentors  :  Instead  of  rejoicing  as  for- 
merly in  the  society  of  one  another,  each  will 
startle  back,  and  aiivi  at  plunging  deeper  into 
the  flam.es  from  the  view  of  the  other.  The 
rich  man  in  hell  is  there  tore  represented  as  ex- 
postulating with  Abraham  to  have  his  bre- 
thren forewarned  oi  his  torments,  and  thus  pre- 
vented from  coming  to  the  same  place  :  Their 
presence  would  bring  to  his  recollection  scenes 
through  which  they  had  passed  together  up- 
on earth,  their  instrumentality  in  tempting 
each  other,  their  fellov/ship  in  sensual  grati- 
fications, and  thus  the  view  of  each  would 
render  more  poignant  the  anguish  of  the  other. 


Sermon  6.  157 

Now,  brethren  dearly  beloved,  you  have 
heard  the  duty  of  family  religion  feebly  illus- 
trated and  enforced  by  various  considerations: 
It  has  been  shewn,  I  trust,  to  the  full  satis- 
fiiction  of  all  in  this  assembly  to  be  both  a  rea- 
sonable and  scriptural  service;  aservice  which, 
Vi^hen  performed  in  a  devout,  conscientious 
manner,  may  tend  to  your  own  edification,  to 
the  spiritual  interests  of  your  children,  and  to 
the  prosperity  of  the  church  in  ages  to  come  : 
You  have  also  been  adnionised  of  the  judg- 
ments which  are  threatened  against  those  who 
live  in  the  wilful  neglect  of  this  duty,  that 
the  Lord  God  *'  will  pour  out  his  fury  upon 
the  families  that  call  not  upon  his  name."  If 
a  single  reader  of  these  pages  is  chargeable 
with  the  omission  of  this  duty,  I  cannot  act 
a  part  more  truly  benevolent  than  by  exhort- 
ing him  to  commence  it.  This  entreaty  is 
dictated  by  the  purest  friendship  for  their  own 
peace,  and  the  welfare  of  their  posterity  after 
them.  Can  you  live  without  God,  and 
prosper  ?  Is  it  not  his  blessing  upon  your 
pursuits  which  maketh  rich,  and  upon  your 
enjoyments  which  renders  them  truly  satis- 
fying, and  are  you  not  commanded  to  ask  his 
blessing  that  you  may  receive  it  ?  Do  you  be- 
litve  that  your  children  have  souls  to  be  sa- 
ved or  damned,  and  will  you,  ccwyou  be  so 
untender  to  their  nobler  part  as  to  neglcet  an 
ordinance  which  might  prove  a  mean  of  their 
salvation  ?  Will  you  refuse  to  read  for  tliem 
those  scriptures  by  which  millions  ''  have 
(> 


158  Sermon  6- 

bcen  begotten  again  to  a  lively  hope,"  and 
which,  when  applied  by  the  Spirit  of  power, 
are  yet  effectual  /or  coiwerting  the  soul^  for 
makivg  wise  tlie  simple^  for  rejoicing  the  hearty 
and  enlightening  the  eyes  ?  Or  will  you  not 
offer  a  prayer  for  the  reinission  of  those  sins 
which^  if  unpardoned,  like  a  mounuiin  of  lead 
must  sink  them  down  to  hell  throui^h  etern- 
ity ?  If  you  continue  in  your  present  neglect 
of  this  duty,  and  }  our  children  Anally  perish, 
may  they  not  plead  in  the  liour  of  judgment 
the  warni.ig  which  I  am  now  giving  as  a  cir. 
cumstance  to  aggravate  your  torment  P  May 
not  your  dear  offspring  tell  the  judge  in  that 
awful  hour  that  although  his  servants  had 
friendship  enough  to  admonish  you  of  your 
duty,  vou  who  were  the  instruments  of  their 
existence  had  not  friendship  to  perform  it  ? 
Can  vou  recline  with  composure  upon  your 
beds  in  the  evening  when  you  reflect  that  the 
curse  of  the  Lord  is  in  the  house  of  the  wicked ; 
that  they  are  cursed  in  their  lying  down,  and 
in  their  rising  up  ?  Can  you  go  abroad  to  your 
farms,  or  merchandise  in  the  morning  with  iv 
rational  prospect  of  success  when  he  declares, 
*'  cursed  shalt  thou  be  when  thou  comest  in, 
and  cursed  shalt  thou  be  when  thcu  goest  out, 
the  Lord  shall  send  upon  thte  cursing,  voc- 
ation, and  rebuke  in  ail  that  thou  settest  thine 
banc!  unto,  until  thou  be  destroy  ed  ?  * 

Ji  solicitude  for  the  souls  of  your  offspring 
does  not  move  you  to  employ  this  mean  of 
their  instruction,  do  you  feci  no  emotions  of 


Sei'mon   6.  159 

gratitude  to  a  bcnu^niant  Creator,  and  Preser- 
vcT  ;  to  that  munificfnt  Being  on  whose  earth 
you  are  walking,  in  whose  air  you  breathe, 
by  whose  inlinite  rneicy  you  are  sparedamidst 
daily  provocations,  and  from  whose  over-fiow- 
ing  bounty  all  your  enjoyments  are  derived? 
Methinks  I  hear  an  insulted  BenefLictor  ad- 
dressing vou  in  the  following  manner,  **  O 
my  people,  what  have  1  done  unto  yoi)  ? 
Wherein  have  I  wearied  you,  testify  against 
ine  :  Are  all  the  blessings  which  you  enjoy, 
health  of  body,  the  exercise  of  reason,  peace 
in  your  habitations,  prosperity  in  your  pur- 
suits, the  society  of  friends,  are  these  and 
countless  other  blessings  which  you  enjoy 
merelv  streamy  from  m^  the  fo'j:itain,  and  a^e 
they  not  u^orthy  a  small  tribute  of  thanksgiv- 
ing ?  Are  not  the  pardon  of  sin,  aaoptiGa  III-" 
to  my  family,  the  sanctifying  and  consoling 
influences  of  my  spirit,  the  joys  and  the  glo- 
ries of  my  kingdom  which  are  offered  through 
the  mediation  of  my  Son  and  your  Saviour, 
arc  not  these  worthy  of  being  sought^  sought 
daily  by  supplication  and  prayer  ?  Surely  if 
any  thing  can  move  the  obdurate  heart,  and 
melt  it  into  submission  with  the  divine  will  it 
must  be  such  expressions  as  these.  Here 
the  Great  God  throws  off  the  majesty  of  the 
Sovereign,  and  stoops  to  reason,  and  expos- 
tulate with  man.  If  therefore  you  have  any 
reverence  for  the  authority  of  God,  any  gra- 
titude for  his  goodness,  any  concern  for  your 
own  peace,  or  for  the  true  interests  of  vour 


i60  Sermon  6» 

children  after  you,  enter  without  delay  upon 
the  duty  recommended  I  say,  call  upon  the 
Lord  in  your  hmWu^s  without  delay,  because 
noxv  is  the  accepted  tiive  ;  TO  DAY  having 
heard  his  voice,  and  being  warned  of  your  du- 
ty harden  not  your  hearts  to  neglect  it.  If 
you  lie  down  this  night  without  the  sacrifice 
of  prayer  ihe  Jliri/  imprecated  by  the  holy  pro- 
phet may  be  poured  c^it  upon  you  and  yours 
before  morning.  Is  there  nothing  fearful  in 
seeing  the  sword  of  divine  wrath  unsheathed 
over  your  dwelling,  or  do  you  suppose  that 
the  living  God  is  slack  in  the  execution  of 
his  thrcatnings  ?  In  order  to  spare  you  will 
he  trample  upon  his  oath,  and  suffer  the  glo- 
ries of  his  throne  to  be  sullied  ?  Is  there  a 
husband  present  who  has  hitherto  neglected 
the  ordijiitnce  of  family  religion  let  hiin  this 
evening  consult  with  the  partner  of  his  life  ; 
let  them  cordially  concur  in  erecting  their  al- 
tar and  offer  up  their  spiritual  sacrifice  to  the 
God  of  their  mercies.  Let  them  reflect  that 
perhaps  the  immortal  destiny  of  their  children 
is  involved  in  their  present  decision,  and  then 
let  each  unite  with  the  other  in  adopting  the 
resolution,  "  as  for  me  and  my  house  we  witl 
serve  the  Lord.'*  Is  there  a  widow  present 
.who  either  from  indifference,  or  diffidence  has 
lived  without  family  prayer,  let  her  this  e- 
vening  consulting  her  own  comfort,  and  the 
prosperity  of  her  habitation,  awake  from  her 
security  and  "  seek  the  Lord  God  while  he 
may  be  found.''     Jehovah  is  indeed  revealed 


Sennon  6,  161 

"  as  a  Judge  to  the  widow,"  as  ready  to  sup- 
port  and  sympathise  in  her  adverse,  disconso* 
late  situation,  but  his  protection  and  conso- 
lations are  to  be  expected  only  in  the  means 
of  his  own  appointment.  We  limit  not  his 
sovereignty,  yet  his  blessing  is  promised  on- 
ly to  those  who  seek  it.  We  must  ask,  we  must 
pray  without  ceasing  if  we  expect  the  smiles 
of  his  providence,  or  the  treasures  of  his  grace. 
Is  there  in  this  assembly  a  young  man,  or 
young  woman  who  has  grown  up  without  the 
privileges  of  family  devotion,  let  such  this  e- 
vening  become  monitors  to  their  parents  ;  let 
them  respectfully  remind  them  that  the  divine 
Jliry  will  be  poured  upon  the  families  that  do 
not  seek  after  God,  let  them  affectionately 
expostulate  with  them  to  arise  from  their  sloth 
and  avert  these  curses  by  calling  upon  his 
name.  What  knovvest  thou,  O  youth,  but 
thou  mayest  prove  the  instrument  of  salvation 
to  thy  father's  house  ? 

Excuse  the  importunity  with  which  I  have 
now  }  ressed  you  to  the  immediate  and  con- 
scientious performance  of  f  miily  religion.  In 
pleading  with  you  for  the  discharge  of  this  du- 
ty I  am  pleading  for  the  honour  of  my  master, 
for  the  peace  of  your  own  souls,  for  the  best  in- 
terests of  your  beloved  offspring,  and  for  the 
prosperity  of  Zion  when  your  destinies  will  be 
determined,  and  your  bodies  aremoulderingin 
the  dust.  If  all  these  arguments  will  not  suc- 
ceed in  prevailing  with  you  to  serve  the  Lord 
with  your  houses,  the  consideration  that  1  have 
o  2 


162  Sermon  6. 

presented  them  to  your  view  will  secure  me  from 
beingpronounced  accessary  toyourdaranation. 
Let  those  whose  houses  have  been  conse- 
crated by  prayer  and  praise,  be  exhorted  to 
persevere  in  these  exercises.  Many  things 
will  probably  occur  to  try  your  faith,  and  pa- 
tience. The  clouds  of  adversity  may  often 
hang  over  your  head,  when  the  sun  of  pros- 
perity is  shining  upon  the  paths  of  the  ungod- 
ly :  Your  children  may  remain  ignorant  a- 
midst  all  your  diligence  in  their  instruction  : 
They  may  appear  thoughtless  and  unmoved 
notwithstanding  all  your  earnestness  admon- 
ishing and  exhorting  them  :  Your  prayers 
which  are  frequently  and  fervently  oflered  up 
in  their  behalf  may  be  seemingly  unanswered  i 
These  appearances  are  indeed  discouraging^ 
but  need  by  no  means  leave  to  despair  of  suc- 
cess in  the  end.  *'  For  the  vision  is  yet  for  an 
appointed  time — tlioughittarry  long  wait  for  ity 
because  it  will  surely  come  ;  it  will  not  tarry. ''^ 
A  sovereign  God  often  refuses  to  give  an  im- 
mediate answer  to  the  prayers  of  his  childen,. 
not  because  he  is  inattentive  to  their  interests,, 
but  for  the  greater  trial  of  their  faith,  and  per-^ 
severance,  and  hope.  Learn,  therefore,  to 
wait  thy  Father's  time  in  the  discharge  of  e- 
very  commanded  duty,  and  wait  in  the  hum- 
ble confidence  of  being  graciously  heard.. 
^'  Shall  not  God  avenge  his  own  elect  which 
cry  day  and  night  unto  liim,  though  he  bear 
long  with  them,  I  tell  you  that  he  will  avenge 
them  speedily.'*     The  natural  seed  does  not 


Sermon  6.  163 

spring  up,  and  come  to  perfection  on  the  day,- 
or  week,  or  even  month  in  vvhichit  is  depo- 
sited in  the  eardi,  neither  does  a  tree  ordina- 
rily present  its  blossoms  or  fruits  in  the  very 
year  in  which  it  is  planted  in  the  earth.  A 
suitable  period  of  time  is  necessary  for  the 
former  to  present  its  blade  or  ear,  and  the 
latter  to  yield  its  ripened  fruits,  and  during 
that  time"^  the  husbandman  patiently  waits. 
Why,  then,  should  you  be  discouraged  al- 
though the  incorruptible  seed  remains  month 
afternionth,  or  even  year  after  year  before  it 
rises  and  ripens  into  a  harvest  ?  The  prayers 
of  the  pious  are  often  heard  in  behalf  of  their 
offspring,  and  their  instructions  rendered  ef- 
fectual for  their  conversion  after  parents  them- 
selves have  been  gathered  to  their  fathers.  I 
will  take  the  liberty  of  relating  two  interesting 
facts  for  the  confirmation  of  this  remark.  St. 
Augustine  was  the  son  of  a  singularly  holy- 
mother  named  Monica,  but  notwithstanding 
all  her  attention  to  his  religious  education  he 
remained  profligate  even  to  a  proverb  :  While 
this  licentious  youth  on  a  certain  occasion  was 
walking  along  the  street,  one  spectator  re- 
ni^irk'  d  to  another  *•  what  a  mystery  in  pro- 
vidence it  was  that  the  child  of  such  advanta- 
ges should  be  so  abandoned  in  his  conduct," 
to  which  the  other  replied,  *'  that  he  did  not 
yet  despair  of  him  ;  that  he  thought  it  impro- 
bable or  impossible  that  the  child  of  so  many 
instructions  and  prayers  should  finally  perish.'^ 
These  hopes  were  happily  realised  in  his  fu- 


164  Sermon  6. 

ture  conversion  :  He  was  not  only  reclaimed 
from  this  licentiousness  of  conduct,  but  after- 
wards shone  as  a  distinguished  luminary  in 
the  primitive  church.  The  other  instance  of 
succ-iifss  crowning  the  exertions  of  parents  af- 
ter many  discouraging  appearances  occurs  in 
the  history  of  Col.  James  Gardiner,  which  is 
fiimiliar  to  many  in  this  assembly.  His  mo- 
ther, who  was  eminent  for  her  piety,  devoted 
her  attention  almost  exclusively  to  his  spiri- 
tual education  ;  she  particularly  aimed  at  di- 
verting his  attention  from  the  military  life  to 
which  he  discovered  an  early  and  ardent  at- 
tachment, but  her  efforts  in  this  respect  were 
unsuccessful.  He  obtained  a  commission  in 
the  army,  and  for  many  years  was  as  distin- 
guished for  the  profligacy  of  his  conduct,  as 
for  the  eminence  of  his  rank  :  But  in  this  in- 
stance the  old  Dutch  prove;  b  was  literally  real- 
ized, *' that  the  prayers  of  the  righteous  will 
not  rot  in  the  clouds  "  The  petitions  which 
had  been  devoutly  oiFercd  up  in  his  beh.ilf 
descended  in  showers  of  blessings  upon  his 
head  ;  the  influence  of  the  holy  principles  ear- 
ly infused  into  his  mind  happily  revived,  he 
became  an  eminent  example  of  holiness  or^ 
earth,  and  probably  he  is  now  shining  in 
heaven  as  a  star  of  superior  lustre.  The  re- 
lation of  these  fiicts,  1  hope,  will  not  be  pro- 
nounced altogether  foreign  to  the  sul  ject  as 
they  tend  to  shew  the  connection  between  the 
means  and  the  end  ;  they  may  animate  pa- 
ren]ts  to  persevere  even  '*  againbt  hope"  in 


Sermon  7.  165 

the  instruction  of  their  olTspring,  and  in  fer- 
vent supplication  both  for  them,  and  ivith 
them. 

May  the  Lord  God  give  you  '*  one  heart, 
and  one  way  to  fear  him  forever,  for  the  good 
of  you  and  of  your  children  after  you  :  May 
your  houses  henceforth  become  little  sanctu- 
aries consecrated  by  prayer  and  praise,  and 
your  hearts  living  temples  for  the  residence  of 
the  Holy  One  of  Israel,  ^y  constant  com- 
munications from  the  ever-living  Jesus,  may 
you  be  ripening  for  that  world  where  you 
shall  worship  not  with  the  small  circle  of  your 
own  families,  but  with  ten  thousand  times 
ten  thousand,  and  thousands  of  thousands ; 
where  you  shall  serve  your  God  not  occasion' 
aUy^  not  at  distant  intervals  as  in  the  present 
state,  but  day  and  night  forever  and  ever.— 
Amen. 


SERMON  VII. 


JOSHUA    XXIV,    15. 

But  as  for  me  and  my  houses  we  will  serve 
the  Lord, 

I  HAVE  frequently  endeavored,  ac- 
cording to  the  ability  which  the  Lord  hath 
given,  to  enforce  the  duty  of  family  religion; 
of  regularly  worshiping  God  morning  and  e- 
vening  ;  of  instruciing  your  household,  whe- 


166  'Sermon  7. 

ther  children  or  servants,  in  the  principles  of 
religion  ;  and  thus  giving  diligence  *'  to  bring 
them  up  in  the  nurture  and  admonition  of  the 
Lord."  Yet  I  feel  no  inclination  to  apologise 
for  dwelling  so  frequently  on  this  duty,  and  a- 
gain  recommending  it  to  your  particular  at- 
tention, influenced  in  some  measure  by  the 
same  spirit,  I  would,  on  this  occasion,  venture 
humbly  to  appropriatethe  same  language  with 
the  apostle,  *'  to  speak  or  write  the  same 
things  to  you,  to  me  indeed  is  not  grievous, 
but  for  you  it  is  safe."  The  uniform,  upright 
discharge  of  these  private  duties  may  be  pro- 
nounced of  the  utmost  importance  to  your- 
selves, your  families,  and  to  the  church  of  the 
living  God  both  ip.  the  present  and  fuitire  gen- 
cration.Sj  If  we  are  stranirers  to  the  exerciser 
of  religion  in  our  closets  and  with  our  house- 
hold we  can  expect  little  delight  or  enlarge- 
ment  in  the  sanctuary  ;  little  comfort  in 
speaking,  or  edification  in  hearing  the  mes- 
sage of  life  and  salvation.  It  is  no  breach  of 
charity  to  maintain  that  he  who  was  never 
constrained  to  serve  the  Lord  after  some  form 
in  private^  was  never  constrained  from  pro- 
per motives  to  serve  him  in  public. 

Being  led,  I  humbly  irust,  by  the  spirit  of 
God  to  enforce  the  ordinance  of  family  reli- 
gion, I  have  chosen  this  resolution  of  Joshua 
as  the  subject  from  various  considerations.- — 
He  was  a  man  eminent  in  rank,  the  prince 
and  leader  of  a  nation  numerous  as  the  stars 
of  heaven.     By  this  we  are  instructed  that  the 


Sermon  7.;  167 

service  of  Jehovah  is  no  detraction  from  earth- 
ly greatness  ;  it  really  reflects  splendor  and 
glory  on  the  highest  stations  among  men. 
Again,  Jobhua  was  placed  in  a  situation  not 
only  eminent,  but  difiicult  and  embarrassing  ; 
he  was  entrusted  with  the  management  of 
nearly  a  million  of  people  ;  and  consequently 
perplexed  with  innumerable  cares  of  a  public, 
national  concern  ;  hearing  their  complaints, 
redressing  their  grievances,  stilling  their  tu- 
mults  and  marching  before  them  as  a  military- 
head  to  encounter  their  adversaries  ;  yet  not- 
withstanding this  pressure  of  public  employ- 
ment he  solemnly  resolves  to  serve  the  Lord, 
This  circumstance  evidently  shews  that  where 
the  person  is  properly  impressed  with  his  duty 
to  God  neither  the  hurry  of  worldly  occupa- 
tions nor  the  multitude  of  worldly  concerns 
will  discourage  or  divert  him  fromdischarging 
that  duty.  Where  there  is  a  real  inclination 
in  the  heart  to  perform  the  divine  will,  oppor- 
tunities are  rarely  wanting.  The  living  foun- 
tain may  as  readily  cease  to  issue  forth  its  re- 
freshing waters,  or  the  flourishing  branch  to  bud 
and  blossom  in  its  season,  as  the  lively  chris- 
tian to  express  his  gratitude  and  love  to  the 
Father  of  mercies.  Abraham  in  travelling 
from  country  to  country  erected  his  altar  and 
called  upon  the  Lord  his  God .  Job  who  hud 
men-servanTs,  and  maid-servants,  and  oxen, 
and  sheep  without  number,  offered  up  sacrifi' 
ces  for  his  sons  confmualli/  :  David  exalted  to 
the  throne  of  Israel  and  Joshua  at  the  head  of 


168  Sermon  7. 

their  armies  found  leisure  to  serve  the  Lord 
with  their  families :  When,  therefore,  this  or- 
dinance is  neglected,  its  neglect  must  proceed 
not  from  che  v/ant  of  time,  but  the  want  of 
inclination.  The  example  of  Joshua  for  en- 
forcing flimily  devotion  is  instructive  from  a- 
nother  consideration  equdly  important.  He 
was  a  ma£^'istrate  and  therefore  obliged  to  per- 
form different  duties  of  a  civil  nature  :  He 
was,  in  a  certain  sense,  a  minister,  and  called 
publicl}'  to  officiate  in  spiritual  exercises  ;  yet 
he  acknowledges  his  obligation  to  worship  a- 
lone  and  with  his  family.  This  consideration 
may  teach  us  that  the  faithful  discharge  of 
those  duties  vrhich  are  incumbent  upon  us  as 
magistrates  or  ministers  will  by  no  means  jus- 
tify cur  neglect  of  those  duties  which  are  bind- 
ing  upon  us  as  men.  In  watching  over  the 
souls  of  others,  our  own  souls  must  not  be 
neglected  ;  in  attempting  as  civil  rulers  to 
promote  good  order  in  society,  or  as  spiritual 
rulers  to  advance  the  edification  of  the  church 
we  must  not  overlook  the  edification  of  our- 
selves and  our  families. 

The  present  season  of  the  year  is  peculiarly 
adapted  for  forming  and  entering  upon  reso- 
lutions of  this  nature.  We  have  now  com- 
pleted one  period  of  our  lives  and  are  intro- 
duced to  another  ;  we  are  almost  necessarily 
reminded  of  the  passing  nature  of  time,  re- 
flecting that  another  year  is  gone,  never ^  never 
to  return  ;  we  are  naturally  admonished  to 
prepare  for  death  and  judgment  to  which  we 


Sermon  7.  16^ 

are  constantly  advancing,  considering  that  the 
period  is  hastening  when  a  separation  will  be 
made  between  us  and  our  family  connections, 
and  we  must  answer  to  an  impartial  God  for 
the  discharge  of  each  relative  duty.  A  JVew- 
Year'^s  day  is  therefore  a  proper  occasion  for 
those  who  have  utterly  neglected  private  re- 
ligion to  begin  this  most  reasonable  service  : 
It  is  a  suitable  time  for  those  who  have  occa- 
sionally attended  to  this  ordinance  to  resolve 
greater  diligence  and  fidelity  ;  for  all,  through- 
a  humble  confidence  on  divine  strength,  to  ap- 
propriate the  resolution  contained  in  our  text, 
*'  As  for  me  and  mv  house  we  will  serve  the 
Lord." 

As  a  mean  of  encouraging  and  assisting  you 
in  this  duty,  permit  me 

1st.  To  make  some  general  observations, 
and 

2d.  To  point  out  those  various  exercises  in 
which  we  should  aim  at  serving  the  Lord, 

1st.  It  may  be  remarked  that  this  and  eve- 
ry other  resolution  should  be  formed  with  a 
deep  conviction  of  our  own  insufficiency  and 
with  an  entire  reliance  on  promised  grace  for 
our  support.  A  principal  reason  why  we  so 
frequently  come  shor^  of  obvious  duty,  why 
we  so  mournfully  fail  in  fulfilling  our  resolu- 
tions to  the  dishonor  of  God  and  our  own 
mortification  is  that  we  depend  so  much  on 
strength  in  ourselves,  and  so  little  on  strength 
in  the  promise.  The  natural  air  is  not  more 
necessary  for  supporting  the  natural  body, 
p 


170  Sermon  7. 

for  strengthening*  it  in  performing  the  cora^ 
mon  ofiices  of  iiie,  than  the  influeiice  of  (ii^ 
vine  grace,  the  breathings  of  Jehovah  the 
Spirit,  to  enliven  and  invigorate  the  sonlin  the 
discharge  of  every  incumbent  dut3\  Abide  in 
vie^  and  Imyoii^  is  the  cail  of  onr  divinei}-  gra- 
cious Lord,  of  him  who  knows  perfectly  the 
insufficiency  of  man  and  the  purity  and  spiri- 
tuality of  his  own  law,  "  as  the  branch  cannot 
bear  fruit  of  itself  except  it  abide  in  the  vine  \. 
110  more  can  ye  except  ye  abide  in  me  :  He 
that  abideth  in  me,  and  I  in  him,  the  same 
bringeth  forth  much  fruit,  for  without  me  ye 
can  do  nothing."  A  righteous  God  frequent- 
ly permits  his  people  to  fall  when  there  is  the 
least  appearance  or  apprehension,  merely  to 
check  a  presumptuous  confidence  and  lead  to 
a  more  uniform  and  entire  reliance  upon  him- 
self for  necessary  support. 

2.  The  resolution  expressed  in  the  text, 
should  be  embraced  by  both  parties ;  by  the 
Avife  no  less  than  her  husband.  She  ought  not 
barely  to  concur,  not  barely  to  consent,  but 
actually  use  her  influence  that  family  religion 
be  faithfully  maintained  ;  that  they  and  their 
**  house  might  serve  the  Lord.''  The  woman 
unites  her  exertions  with  the  man  in  making 
provision  for  their  bodies  ;  she  rises  early,  sits 
up  late,  fulf  Is  the  duties  of  her  station  in  se- 
curing the  necessaries  of  the  present  life  ;  all 
this  is  becoming,  but  all  this  is  not  sufficient 
on  her  part.  She  ought  to  aim  at  becoming 
an  help  meet  not  merely   in  promoting  their 


Sermon  //.  171 

temporal,  but  their  spiritual   interests  :  she 
ought  to  unite  her  endeavors  with  her  husband 
not  only  in   providing  things  needful   for  the 
body,   but  in  advancing  the  edification  of  the 
immortal    soul.     This    observation  however 
familiar,  there  is  reason  to  apprehend,  is   too 
i^enerally  neglected.     Jn  the  absence  of  the 
husband  the  v/oman  becomes  the  head  of  riie 
family  in  arranging  their  outward  affairs ;  she 
feels  bound  to  oversee  theii    property  that  it 
be  not  squandered  ;   in  directing  the  children 
and    servants  that  they    attend   diligently   to 
their  r.^spective  employments  ;   but  does  she 
officiate  as  /lead  in  religious  concerns.^  Is  she 
diligent   in   teaching,   admonishing,  and   ex- 
horting them  ;   is  she  faithful  in  urging  them 
to  secret   devotion  ;   is  she  conscientious   in 
offering  up,  morning  and  evening,   the  sacri- 
fice of  pra}'er  before  them  ?   More  is  incum- 
bent on  the  woman  in  this  respect,  more  may 
be  effected  by  her  in  promoting  the  spiritual 
order  of  the  family  than  is  perhaps   generally 
apprehended.     She   has   opportunity  of  con- 
suiting  with  her  husband  on  the  most  season- 
able time  for  performing  spiritual  exercises  ; 
she   may  remmd  Uim  of  duties   when  he  ap- 
pears dispQ:ied  to  omit  them,  or  gently  admo- 
ni.>h  him  when  they  are  altogether  ne£!:lect€d. 
It  is   not  \vithout  some  important  design  that 
the  Holy  Ghost  so  explicitly  representsZacha- 
rias  and  Elizabeth  '"  as  both  righteous  before 
God,   walking  in   all  the  comimandments  and 
ordinances   of  the  Lord  blameless."     The  a- 


172  Sermon  7, 

postle  sends  the  salutation  of  Aqiiila  and  Pri- 
scilla  with  the  church  in  their  house,  phiinly 
intimating  that  they  mutually  concurred  and 
co-operated  in  maintaining  the  various  exer- 
cises of  religion.  Thus,  those  whom  the  God 
CI  providence  connects  in  the  marriage  rela- 
tior^  and  ordains  over  a  particular  household 
should  become  workers  together,  not  onl}^  with 
God  but  wiih  each  other,  in  promoting  the 
spiritual  order  and  edification  of  that  house- 
hold ;  living  together  as  fellow  heirs  of  the 
same  graced  as  fellow  expectants  of  the  same 
glory  ;  encouraging  and  exhorting  each  ether 
in  attending  the  means  of  salvation, 

3.  The  heads  of  families  should  use  their 
inFluence  that  every  member  of  their  house- 
hold walk  regularly  and  uniformly  in  the  or- 
dinances of  God.  The  authority  of  prudent 
parents  and  masters  is  exerted  to  keep  each 
member  in  his  station  ;  they  sharply  reprove 
any  instance  of  disrespect  which  one  may  ex- 
press towards  another  ;  and  they  notice  whe- 
ther each  member  performs  such  services  as 
are  appointed  him  ;  much  more  should  they 
examine  vvhether  each  individual  discharges 
his  duty  to  Jehovah  his  Creator  and  Redeem- 
er. This  attention  is  evidently  implied  in  the 
resolution  of  Joshua,  "  as  for  me  and  my 
house,"  all  who  reside  under  my  roof,  ''  we 
will  serve  the  Lord  :"  He  not  only  expresses 
his  resolution  to  aim  at  performing  his  duty 
as  an  individual,  but  to  use  his  influence  by 
admonition  and  example  over  all  that  were 


Sermon  7.  173 

subject  to  his  authority.  The  command  which 
rehues  to  the  sanctification  of  the  sabbath, 
and  consequently  to  all  the  other  ordinances 
©f  God,  extends  "  to  son  and  daughter,  to 
man-servant  and  maid-servant  that  is  within 
our  gate.  '  How  instructive  in  this  respect, 
and  how  honorable  is  the  testimony  borne  by 
the  livii^g  God  to  Abraham  the  father  of  the 
faithful,  ''  I  know  him  that  he  will  contimand 
his  children  and  his  household  after  him, 
and  thtv  shall  keep  the  way  of  the  Lord  to 
do  justice  and  judgment  ;  that  the  Lord  may 
bring  upon  Abraham  that  which  he  hath  spo- 
ken of  him." 

Here  I  cannot  help  remarking,  that  parents 
and  masters  should  be  peculiarly  cautious  in 
the  introduction  of  servants  into  their  families; 
none,  if  possible,  should  be  brought  in  as  or- 
dinary members  but  such  as  apparently  have 
the  fear  of  God,  and  are  willing  to  unite  in  of- 
fering that  worship  which  he  requires.  One 
impure,  scandalous  person  defaces  the  beauty 
and  mars  the  edification  of  a  whole  society  ; 
one  disorderly,  refractory  soldier  tarnishes  the 
glory  and  enfeebles  the  strength  of  a  regiment; 
one  rotten  sheep,  if  1  may  employ  the  very 
plain  comparison,  spreads  disease  and  death 
through  the  flock  ;  thus  one  irregular,  irreli- 
gious member  may  destroy  the  spiritual  order 
and  beauty  of  a  house.  Such  persons  are  a  temp- 
tation even  to  the  head  of  a  fimiily.  Can  he 
offer  his  daily  devotions  to  God  with  such 
composure  and  confidence  ;  can  he  enjoy  so 
p  2 


17  4  Sermon  7. 

much  freedom  in  confessing  their  family  offen- 
ces ;  in  rendering  thanks  for  their  family  bles- 
sings, or  in  asking  the  supply  of  their  family 
wants,  while  he  knows  that  such  a  person  is 
secretly  mocking  at  the  exercise  as  the  effect 
either  of  priestcraft  or  tradition  ?  It  is  impos- 
sible. The  thought  necessarily  throws  a  chill 
over  his  spirits,  and  prevents  that  enlargem.ent 
and  comfort  in  his  devotions  which  might  o- 
therwise  be  enjoyed.  But  persons  of  profli- 
gate principles  and  practices  are  peculiarly 
ensnaring  to  the  young.  JLvil  communication 
corriipteth  good  manners.  The  deadly  conta- 
gion rapidly  and  imperccptably  spreads.  So 
desperate  is  the  wickedness  of  the  hum.an 
heart,  such,  especially,  is  the  vanity  and  folly 
of  youth,  so  easily  are  they  drawn  aside  from 
the  paths  of  religion  and  virtue,  that  the  exam- 
ple of  one  licentious  member  may  defeat  the 
endeavors  both  of  parents  and  masters.  Hov/ 
exemplary,  therefore,  was  the  resolution  of  the 
royal  David  ?  **  I  will  walk  within  my  house 
with  a  perfect  heart  :  Mine  eyes  shall  be  upon 
the  faithful  of  the  land  that  they  may  dwell 
with  me  ;  he  that  walkelh  in  a  perfect  way  he 
shall  serve  me  ;  he  that  worketh  deceit,  shall 
not  dwell  within  my  house  ;  he  that  telleth 
lies  shall  not  tarry  in  my  sight.*' 

4th.  It  may  be  observed  that  perseverance 
in  the  performance  of  each  religious  duty  is 
indispensibly  requisite.  Persons  when  first 
formed  into  a  family  capacity,  like  the  young 
christian,  are  usually  zealous  in  the  service  of 


Sermon  7*  175 

Jehovah  ;  their  hearts  are  sensi!)ly  moved  by 
his  goodness    in  erecting    the  solitary  into  a 
household,  and  they  form  exalted  resolutions 
as  to  their  spiritual  conduct,   but  they  after- 
wards decline,  become  untender  in  their  chris- 
tian walk,  more  irregular  in  their   behaviour 
towards  God  until  the  form  of  religion  no  less 
than  its  power   is  utterly  lost.     Others  there 
are  who  gradually  become  involved  in  the  pur- 
suits  of  the  world,  and  owing  to  its  incessant 
hurry  find  little  leisure  for  the   service  of  the 
Lord  :   •'  The  cares   of  this  life,  the  deceit- 
fulness  of  riches  and    the  desires    of   other 
things  choak"  each  serious  impression,  each 
holy  resolution,  until  those    blossoms  which 
once  opened  fair  and  promised  abundant  fruit 
wither   and  ilill  entirely  off.     Others,  again, 
yield  up  to  a  spirit  of  despondency  ;  they  see 
no  evidence  of  their  prayers  being  answered, 
of  their  advices  or  instructions  being  eifectual 
and  they  become  discouraged  ;  they  are  dis- 
posed to  ask,  ''  what  is  the  Almighty  that  we 
should  serve  him,  and  what  profit  should  we 
have  if  we  pray  unto  him  ?  Verily  we  have 
cleansed  our  hearts  in  vain  and  washed  our 
hands  in  innocence."     Owing  to  these  and  o- 
ther  considerations  many  families  which  be- 
gin in  the  spirit  end  in  the  Jiesh  ;  all  their  first 
resolutions  of  serving  the    Lord  are  '*  as  the 
morning  cloud  and  as  the  early  dew  that  pas- 
seth  away,  as  the  chaff  that  is  driven  with  the 
whirlwind  out  of  the  floor  and  the  smoke  out 
of  the  chimney  I"  Such  apostacy  m  families 


176  Sermon  7. 

as  well  as  ii  individuals  is  highly  dishonoring 
to  God,  and  forfeits  that  reward  of  grace 
which  his  faithful  followers  may  expect.  ''To 
them  only  who  by  a  patient  continuing  in  well 
doing  seek  for  glory,  and  honor,  and  immor- 
tality, eternal  life"  is  promised.  Instructive 
andauful  was  the  admonition  uttered  by  our 
Saviour  to  the  church  of  Sardis,  **  be  watch- 
ful and  strengthen  the  things  which  remain 
that  are  ready  to  die  :  Remember  how  thou 
hast  received,  and  heard,  and  hold  fast  and 
repent."  How  frequently  are  we  exhorted 
not  only  to  a  holy  fervor,  but  an  unshaken 
stedf-'Stness,  and  perseverance  in  our  christian 
profession.  **  Be  thou  faithful  unto  the  death, 
and  I  will  give  thee  a  crown  of  life  :  We  are 
made  partakers  of  Christ  if  we  hold  the  begin- 
ning of  our  confidence  stedfast  unto  the  end: 
Praying  always  with  all  prayer  and  su])plica- 
tion  in  the  spirit,  and  watching  thereunto  with 
all  perseverance  and  supplication  for  all  saints: 
Be  ye  stedfast,  unmoveable,  always  abound- 
ing in  the  work  of  the  Loid,  for  as  much  as 
ve  know  that  your  labor  is  not  in  vain  in  the 
Lord." 

Having  made  these  general  observations, 
We  proceed, 

2d.  To  point  out  those  various  duties  in 
which  we  should  aim  ''  at  serving  the  Lord." 

1.  Each  individual  should  serve  him  by  the 
regular  and  conscientious  observance  of  se- 
cret devotion.  This  duty  lies  at  the  founda- 
tion of  all  other  duties,  and  without  some  spi- 


Sermon  7.  177 

fit  and  earnestness  in  it,  little  life  or  enlarge- 
ment  need  be  expected  in  any  other  ordin-ince 
of  Christianity.     Prayer    in   secret,   apart  by 
ourselves,  is  recommended  both  by  the  autho- 
rity   and    example    of  our    gracious    Lord. 
**  Thou,  when  thou  prayest,''  it  is  worthy  of 
notice  that  the  Redeemer  does  not  positively  • 
enjoin  the  exercise,  he  considers  it  as  already 
known,  as  suggested  by  the  light  of  nature; 
reason  dictates  that  a  Father  should  be  hon- 
ored and  a  Master  feared  ;  that  mercies    re- 
ceived by  us  as  individuals  through   the  day 
should  thankfully  be  aknowledged  by   us   in 
the  evening,  and  that  mercies  received  thro' 
the  night  ought  gratefully  to  be  acknowledg- 
ed in  the  morning,  *'  thou,   when  thou  pray* 
est,  enter  into  thy  closet,  and  when  thou  hast 
shut  the  door,  pray-  to  thy  Father  which  is  in 
secret,  and  thy  Father  which  seeth  in  secret 
shall  reward  thee   openly."     This   duty  en- 
joined upon  others,  our  Lord  Jesus  frequent- 
ly enforced  by  his  own  example.     One  evan- 
gelist  relates  that,    '*  when  he  had  sent  the 
multitude  away,  he  went  up  into  a  mountain 
apart  to  pray,  and  when  the  evening  was  come 
he   was  there  alone."      Another    evangelist 
mentions,  "  and  in  the  morning  rising  up  a 
great  while  before  day,  he  went  out,  and  de- 
parted into  a  solitary  place  and  prayed." 

2.  We  should  serve  the  Lord  by  the  uni- 
form discharge  of  family  worship  in  its  vari- 
ous parts.  This  is  evidently  implied  in  the 
resolution  of  Joshua,  as  for  me  and  my  house  : 


178  Sermon  7. 

In  secret  prayer  we  worship  God  as  individu* 
als,  but  in  family  prayer  we  unite  in  a  social 
capacity,  as   a   house  or    family  to  serve  the 
Lord,     Having  pointed  out  the  propriety  and 
importance  of  this  exercise  on  a  former  occa- 
sion, it  is  not  my  design  to  enlarge  on  it  at 
present.      Suffice  it  to  remark   that  it  is  per- 
fectly reasonable  that  those  who  are  daily  re- 
ceiving mercies  should  unite  in  acknowledge 
ins:  those  mercies  ;  that  those  who  are  chare-e- 
able  u'ith  daily   transgressions  should  join  in 
confessingthese  transgressions  and  imploring 
forgiveness  through  the  Redeemer's  sacrifice  ; 
that  those  who  have  common  U'ants  to  be  sup- 
plied  should  unite  in   asking  the  supply   of 
these  wants.     The  duty  of  family  dev  -<i^ion  is 
obviously  pointed   out  by  the   dail}^  sacrifices 
offered  up  among  the  Jews  :  *'  And  this  is  that 
which   thou  shalt  offer   upon   the  altar  ;  two 
Iambs  of  the  first  year  day  by  day  continually  ; 
the  one  lamb  thou  shalt  offer  at  even.     This 
shall  be  a  continual  burnt-offering  throughout 
your  generation.''     This  exercise   is   recom- 
mended to  our  observance  by  the  example  of 
the  righteous  in  different  periods  of  the  world 
and  different  dispensations  of  the  church  ;   by 
the  example  of  Abraham,  of  Job,  of  David,  of 
Aquiia,  aiid   many  others.     We  learn,  there- 
fore, fron>  the  dictates  of  reason,  from  the  po- 
sitive  appointment   of  the  sacrifice  morning 
and  evening,  from  the  conduct  of  the  faithful 
in  different  countries  and  ages,  **  that  it  is  a 
good  thing  to  give  thanks  to  the  Lord,  and  to 


Sermon  7.  17^ 

sing  praises  to  thy  name,  O  Most  High,  to 
shew  forth  thy  loving  kindness  in  the  morning 
and  thy  faithfulness  evciy  night.'* 

3d.  We  should  serve  the  Lord  by  duly  and 
devoutly  attending  the  ordinances  of  his  house. 
As  it  is  our  duty  to  serve  Jehovah  in  secret 
and  witl\  our  families,  we  are  required  more 
publicly  to  profess  our  attachment  to  hiscause, 
and  our  subjection  to  his  authority,  by  repair- 
ing to  the  'courts  of  his  worship ;  there  we 
should  appear  with  the  ransomed  of  the  Lord 
and  unite  our  hearts  and  voices,  offering  the 
tribute  of  praise  for  redeeming  love  ;  addres- 
sing the  throne  of  grace  by  earnest  supplica- 
tion and  hearing  from  his  ambassadors  the 
message  of  peace  and  salvation.  We  are 
therefore  admonished,  **  not  to  forget  the  as- 
sembling of  ourselves  together  ;  to  enter  into 
his  gates  with  thanksgiving,  and  his  courts 
with  praise."  As  the  command  of  God  rend- 
ers our  attention  to  the  ordinances  of  his  house 
an  incumbent  duty, his  children  have  uniform- 
ly considered  it  as  their  most  exalted  privilege. 
*'  Ho\v  amiable  are  thy  tabernacles,  O  Lord 
of  hosts,'  is  the  ardent  exclamation  of  one  : 
*'  My  soul  longeth,  yea,  even  fainteth  for  the 
courts  of  the  Lord  :  Blessed  are  they  that 
dwell  in  thy  house,  they  will  be  still  praising 
thee  :  For  a  day  i,i  thy  courts  is  better  than 
a  thousand  :  I  had  rather  be  a  door-keeper  in 
the  house  of  my  God  than  to  dwell  in  the  tents 
of  wickedness.''  The  sanctuary  below  he  ap- 
pears toconsider  asan  emblem  of  the  sanctuary 


180  Sermon  7. 

above  ;  his  entering  the  courts  of  the  Lord's 
house  as  an  earnest  of  being  admitted  hereaf- 
ter into  the  palace  of  the  King  to  go  no  more 
out  ;  while  he  unites  in  celebrating  the  prai- 
ses of  God,  his  soul  is  apparently  transported 
to  that  hour  when,  mingling  with  ransomed 
immortals  of  all  nations  and  kindreds  and  peo- 
ple and  tongues,  he  shall  shout  in  eternal  ar- 
dor, **  salvation  to  our  God  which  sitteth  upon 
the  throne  and  to  the  Lamb  :"  But  parents  and 
masters  are  not  to  rest  satisfied  with  their 
personal  attendance  at  the  house  of  prayer  ; 
they  ought  upon  all  occasions,  if  possible,  to 
be  a  accompanied  with  their  families.  Com- 
passion to  the  souls  of  those  who  are  under 
our  inspection,  requires  that  they  be  brought 
to  Zion  s  mount,  where  the  Lord  proipises  to 
*'  command  the  blessing,  even  life  for  ever- 
more," There  is  something  truly  amiable, 
truly  dignified,  when  the  head  of  a  family,  ac- 
companied with  his  household,  comes  forth 
on  the  Sabbath  morning  and  takes  his  seat  in 
the  sanctuary  of  God  ;  when,  after  serving  Je- 
hovah at  home,  he  presents  himself  in  the  tem- 
ple, saying,  ^'  here  am  I  and  the  children  and 
the  servants  whom  the  Lord  hath  given  me  ; 
we  are  al)  here  present  before  God,  to  hear  all 
thi.igs  that  are  commanded  thee  of  God.''  By- 
such  behaviour  he  testifies  that  he  considers 
the  service  of  God  as  his  delight,  his  duty  and 
glory  ;  that  he  resolves  to  recommend  it  not 
only  by  his  own  example,  bui  by  the  example 
of  ^hat  household  of  which  the  Holy  Ghost 
hath  made  him  overseer. 


Sermon  7.  181 

4th.  We  ought  to  serve  the  Lord  by  occa- 
sioaally    separating  a  portion  of  our  time  for 
the  exercises  of  fasting,  humiliation,  and  pray- 
er.     The  duties  ah^ady  mentioned  are  pro. 
pcrl}^  stated,    and  should  be  discharged  uni- 
formlij,  as  opportunity  offers  ;    the  ordinance 
of  fasting  is  rather  occasional,  and  is  dictated 
by  singular,  extraordinary  occurrences  in  pro- 
vidence.— This  exercise  has  frequently  been 
observed  by  the  righteous  with  visible  and  e- 
minent  success  ;  evidences  of  the  Lord's  wrath 
have  been  removed  and  the  light  of  his  coun- 
tenance restored.     While  Esther   the  queen, 
and  Daniel  the  prophet,  humbled  themselves 
before  him,   in    that  ordinance,   their  prayers 
%vere  speedily  answered,  and  threatened  ca- 
lamities were  averted.     The  season  for  fasting 
and  humiliation,  as   I  already   mentioned,  is 
pointed  out  by  peculiar  and  extraordinary  ap- 
pearances  of  divine   providence.     Does  the 
hand  of  the  Almighty  lie  heavy  upon  our  ha- 
bitation in  some    severe   affliction  ;  have  we 
been  visited  by  any    remarkable  adversity  ; 
do  the  movements  of  providence  appear  pe- 
culiarly dark,  so  that  we  cannot  find  our  path  ; 
or  is  there  some  singular  blessing   which  we 
desire  to  obtain  ;  these  are  proper  seasons  for 
families  to  approach  the  Lord  in  the  solemni- 
ties of  fasting  and  humiliation  ;  to  enquire  by 
special  prayer  what  is  the  ground  of  his  con- 
troversy, imploring  him   to    discover  to    us 
our  secret  faults  which  are  the  cause   of  his 
indignation,  and  **  in  deserved   wrath  to  re- 
9. 


182  Sermon  7» 

member  mercy.  Therefore,  also,  no\x  saith 
the  I.ord,  turn  ye  even  to  me  with  air  your 
heart,  and  with  fasting,  and  with  weeping, 
and  with  mourning;  and  rend  your  heart  and 
not  your  garments,  and  turn  unto  the  Lord 
your  God  :  for  he  is  gracious  and  merciful, 
and  slow  to  anger,  and  of  great  kindness,  and 
repenteth  him  of  the  evil." 

It  is  equally  proper,  as  circum.stances  re- 
quire, to  separate  days  for  the  exercises  of 
thanksgiving  and  praise.  If  our  condition  is 
peculiarly  prosperous  ;  if  our  families  enjoy 
health  when  disease  and  death  wave  their  ban- 
ner around  ;  if  providence  has  visibly  inter- 
posed and  protected  in  the  hour  of  peri),  or  if 
we  are  eminently  visited  of  the  Lord  with  his 
covenant  consolations,  it  becomes  us,  as  a  fa- 
mily, to  unite  in  presenting  the  sacrifice  of  ad- 
oration and  thanksgiving.  Such  was  the  ex- 
ercise ol  Moses  after  his  escrpe  from  the  E- 
gyptians,  and  of  David,  the  king,  when  de- 
livered from  the  rage  of  a  persecuting  Saul. 
**  Therefore,''  he  rci^olves,  **  will  I  givethanks 
imto  thee,  O  Lord,  among  the  heathen,  and 
I  will  hing  praises  unto  ihy  name.  ' 

1.  AVe  learn  from  this  doctrine,  that  when 
the  fear  and  love  of  Jehovah  reign  in  the  heart, 
they  constrain  to  cheerful  obedience  in  the  life 
and  conversation.  In  vain  do  we  talk  about 
our  rtlipious  feelings  or  frames  :  about  our 
love  to  O'xl  or  zeal  for  his  glory,  unless  we 
aim  at  keeping  his  commandments.  There 
may  be    ''a  form  of  Godliness   without  the 


sermon  7.  183 

power/'  but  the  power  cannot  possibly  exist 
without  the  form.  A  christian,  without  the 
worship  of  his  God  in  one  mode  or  another, 
is  like  a  sun  without  light,  a  cloud  without 
rain,  a  fountain  without  water,  or  a  living  bo- 
dy without  motion  or  breath.  When,  *'  with 
the  heart,  man  believeth  unto  righteousness, 
with  the  tongue  confession  will  be  made  unto 
salvation."  Does  a  subject  reverence  and  o- 
bey  his  sovereign  ;  does  a  son  honor  his  fa- 
ther, or  a  servant  his  master,  much  more  will 
the  child  of  adoption  adore  and  obey  his  Fa- 
ther in  heaven.  This  submission  to  his  au- 
thority, this  attention  to  his  ordinances  is  so- 
lemnly enjoined  by  our  redeeming  Lord  on 
all  his  professed  followers.  ''  If  ye  love  me 
keep  my  commandments.''  This  he  pronoun- 
ces the  criterion  by  which  we  may  discrimi- 
nate the  true  from  the  false  professor  of  his 
name  ;  "  If  ye  continue  in  my  word,  ye  are 
my  disciples  indeed."  Whenever  the  incor- 
ruptible seed  is  saviiigly  sown  in  the  heart  it 
naturally  and  necessarily  springs  up  and  pre- 
sents the  fruits  of  holiness  in  the  life.  Were 
Z-icharias  and  Elizabeth  "  bodi  righteous  be- 
fore God,"  this  was  manifested  by  w^alking 
*'  in  all  his  commandiuents  and  ordinances  :  ' 
Was  Cornelius  ''  a  devout  man, '  this  was 
expressed  by  ''  fearing  God  with  all  his 
house,"  by  giving  '*  much  alms  to  the  peo- 
ple, and  praying  to  God  always.''  Amidst 
the  variousemployments  of  the  day,  the  chris- 
tian coubiders  his  duty  to  his  heavenly  Father 


iS'i  Sermon  7. 

as  the  most  reasonable  ar.d  important  :  amidst 
all  his  enjoyments,  he  regards  the  divine  fel- 
lowship ia  ordinances  as  the  most  refined  and 
exalted  ;  amidst  the  anxieties  and  perplexi- 
ties of  life,  this  is  his  consolation  that  "in 
every  thing  by  prayer  and  supplication  he  can 
make  his  requests  known  unto  God." 

2.  \Vq  learn  from  this  doctrine  that  when 
Parents  an.d  Masters  are  conscientious  in  ser- 
ving the  Lord,  they  v/ill  recommend  his  ser- 
vice to  all  under  their  inspection ;  if  their  own 
souls  are  deeply  impressed  with  their  obliga- 
tions to  God,  they  will  aim  at  impressing  the 
souls  of  their  children  and  servants.  It  is  a 
mistaken  opinion  that  the  rising  generatiorr 
should  be  left  altOQ-ether  to  their  own  choice  in 
matters  of  religion.  True  it  is,  the  conscience 
ought  not  to  be  controlled  ;  the  rational  mind 
can  be  influenced  only  by  rational  arguments  ; 
but  it  is  equally  true,  that  if  parents  consider 
the  service  of  Jehovah  their  duty,  they  should 
admonish  their  children  to  serve  him  ;  if  they 
experience  thevjays  of  spiritual  v/isdom  '^  to 
be  ways  of  pleasantness  and  her  paths  peace,'' 
affection  to  their  offspring  obliges  them  to  re- 
commend these  wai/s.  How  earnestly,  there- 
fore, did  the  holy  David  expostulate  with  So- 
lomon his  son  ;  ''  know  thou  the  God  of  thy 
^  Father,  and  serve  him  with  a  perfect  heart  and 
a  willing  mind  ;  if  thou  seek  him,  he  will  be 
found  of  thee,  but  if  thou  forsake  him,  he  will 
cast  thee  off  forever.'*  Parents  are  not  indif- 
ferent with  their  children  as  to  the  affairs  of 


Sermon  7.  185 

the  present  life  ;  they  recommend  industry 
and  temperance  as  conducing  equally  to  their 
temporal  interest  and  happiness  ;  they  repre- 
sent virtue  and  integrity  as  the  ornament  of 
their  nature  ;  as  the  path  to  respectability  and 
usefulness  in  society  ;  if  mere  arguments  are 
not  sufficient,  they  employ  the  correcting  rod 
as  a  mean  of  reclaiming  them  from  habits  of 
wantonness  and  vice.  Will  they  interfere  by 
instruction,  by  advice,  by  correction  in  things 
temporal,  and  leave  them  to  their  own  choice 
in  matters  infinitely  more  important  ?  Will 
they  teach  and  admonish  and  expostulate  in  or- 
der to  regulate  their  conduct  as  men, and  aban- 
don them  to  the  vanity  and  folly  of  their  own 
minds  in  the  weightier  interests  of  their  souls 
and  eternity  ?  Besides,  parental  instruction 
and  ex;  ortation,  which  arc  founded  in  reason, 
are  particularly  enjoined  in  divine  revelation  : 
**  Train  up  a  child  in  the  way  he  should  go  : 
Ye  fathers,  provoke  not  your  children  to 
wrath,  but  bring  them  up  in  the  nurture  and 
admonition  of  the  Lord.  And  these  words 
which  1  command  thee  shall  be  in  thine  heart  ; 
and  thou  shalt  teach  them  diligently  unto  thy 
children,  and  shalt  talk  of  them  when  thou  sit- 
test  in  the  house  and  when  thou  walkest  by 
the  way  ;  when  thou  liest  down  and  when 
thou  risest  up.  ' 

I  cannot  conclude  this  discourse  without  a- 
gain  recommending  to  your  imitation  this  re- 
solution of  Joshua.     My  conscience  bears  me 
wimess  that  1  am  pained  at  the  thought  of  cea- 
(^2 


186  Sermon  7. 

sing  to  expostulate  until  I  have  prevailed  with 
you  to  compiv.  Shall  a  duty  in  which  the 
glory  of  God,  the  peace  of  your  own  souls, 
the  salvation  of  your  household,  I  may  add, 
the  salvation  of  thousands  yet  to  descend  from 
your  loins,  shall  a  duty  of  this  importance  re- 
main neglected  ?  Need  I  repeat  that  it  is  a 
service  perfectly  reasonable  ;  that  it  is  a  tri- 
bute justly  due  to  Him  who  created  you  at 
first,  and  who  daily  protects  and  supports  you; 
who,  in  his  unsearchable  wisdom,  has  devi- 
sed a  plan  for  your  salvation,  and  who,  in 
liis  abundant  mercy,  offers  you  all  the  bles- 
sings of  grace  and  glory  ?  Is  he  a  Being  in- 
finitely glorious  in  himself,  and  not  worthy  of 
your  esteem  and  adoration  ?  Is  he  the  Au- 
thor of  innumerable  benefits  to  you,  and  not 
entitled  to  your  affection  and  praise  ? 

Is  there  a  parent  or  master  present  that  has 
lived  in  the  habitual  neglect  of  family  religion, 
I  would  on  this  New-  Y€ar''s  morning  entreat 
them  with  all  affection  to  begin  the  exercise, 
**  Halt  no  longer  between  two  opinions,  but 
choose  vou  this  day  whom  you  will  serve  : 
If  the  Lord  be  God,"  if  he  is  the  author  of 
your  existence  and  the  only  portion  of  your 
immortal  spirits,  folloxv  him^  choose  him  as 
your  God  and  the  God  of  your  children. 

Is  there  a  parent  or  master,  who  has  attend- 
ed this  Aw\.\  formally  or  remissly,  I  would  on 
this  New  Year's  morning  entreat  them,  with 
all  affection,  to  aim  at  the  more  upright,  uni- 
forni  disvhurge  of  it.     I^et  not  the  Living  God 


Sermon  fl.  187 

be  put  ofF  with  "  the  torn  or  the  lame,  or  the 
sick  for  an  offering,"  but  consecrate  to  him 
the  Jiiale  of  your  flock,  the  flower  of  your  time. 

Should  this  feeble  attempt  to  enforce  an  im- 
portant duty  be  instrumental  in  introducing 
the  worship  of  Jehovah  into  one  house  where 
it  was  formerly  neglected,  or  of  bringing  one 
f:imily  to  the  more  conscientious  observance 
of  it,  how  would  my  soul  rejoice!  how  cheer- 
fully could  I  hail  the  church  in  that  house  with 
a  happy  New-  Year  ;  how  cordially  could  I 
bless  the  Lord  for  establishing  the  word  of  his 
servant  and  making  it,  however  weak  and 
worthless,  effectual  to  his  own  glory  and  the 
salvation  of  men  :  I  should  consider  it  a  mu- 
tual pledge  of  shortly  meeting  and  mingling 
with  Patriarchs  and  Apostles  and  reformers, 
and  all  that  honored  throng  who  served  the 
Lord  on  earth,  and  behold  him  eternally  in 
heaven. 

Now,  to  the  Father  and  the  Son  and  the 
Holy  Ghost,  three  electing,  redeeming, 
sanctifying  Persons  in  one  Jehovah,  let 
all  the  ransomed  from  among  men  unite  with 
unsinning  angels  in  offering  equal  thanksgiv- 
ing and  praise,  now  and  everlastingly.    Amen* 


SERMON  VIIL 

PROVE  RES    XXII.    9. 

Trai?i  up  a  child  in  the  way  he  should  go, 

THE  Hebrew  word  which  is  here 
translated  train  up  has  a  variety  of  significa- 
tions, and  is  therefore  translated  differently  in 
different  places.  Sometimes  it  signifies  to 
dedicate  or  consecrate  from  common  to  sacred 
uses,  as  the  Jews  dedicated  by  prayer  and 
thanksgiving  their  private  houses,  and  as  So- 
lomon solemnly  consecrated  the  temple  to  ihe 
Living  God.  Sometimes  it  signifies  to  ^rflw, 
or  discipline  as  the  soldier  is  taught  the  science 
of  war,  and  reduced  to  habits  of  order  and  o- 
bedience  to  his  superiors.  Abraham  is  there- 
fore represented  as  arming  his  trained  ser- 
vants, those  whom  he  had  instructed  and  dis- 
ciplined in  the  art  of  war.  There  is  another 
translation  given  to  this  word  which  is  perfect- 
ly agreeable  to  the  original,  and  adds  a  pecu- 
liar emphasis  to  the  expression.  *'  Train  up 
a  child  at  the  mouth,  or  entrance,  or  begin- 
ning of  hits  way."  This  phrase  in  the  bold- 
ness of  eastern  style  expresses  that  early  con- 
cern which  parents  should  manifest  for  the  spi- 
ritual interests  of  their  offspring  :  They  ought 
to  see  that  their  first  step  be  taken  '*  in  the 
narrow  way  which  leads  to  everlasting  life  ;'* 
that  they  should  be  early  directed  to  the 
choice  of  religion  as  their  honor,  andmterest, 


Sermon  8.  189 

and  happiness.  The  sooner  that  religious  in- 
struction is  poured  into  their  opening  powers 
it  is  usually  the  more  successful,  because  the 
first  impressions  are  the  most  deep,  andlasting\ 
\\\  order  to  assist  parents  in  the  discharge  of 
a  duty  equally  pleasing  and  important ;  a  duty 
which  they  owe  to  God  who  has  honored  them 
with  an  offspring,  to  the  church  which  these 
children  under  their  admonition  may  hereaf- 
ter adorn,  and  to  their  children  themselves 
I  will  attempt 

I.  To  illustrate  the  import  of  the  injunc- 
tion, and 

II.  Point  out  the  obligation  under  which 
parents  are  to  perform  theduty  recommended. 

1.  Parents  ought  to  train  up  their  offspring 
by  an  early  surrender  of  them  to  Jehovah  in 
the  ordinance  of  baptism.  The  attention  of 
the  pious  Jews  was  early  directed  to  the  dedi- 
cation of  their  children  in  the  rite  of  circum- 
cision. Soon  after  the  birth  of  Samuel  we 
hear  Hannah  devoutly  resolving,  '*  I  will 
bring  him  that  he  may  appear  before  the  Lord, 
and  there  abide  for  ever  ;  As  long  as  he  liveth 
he  shall  ()e  lent  to  the  Lord."  Zachariah  and 
Elizabeth  the  parents  of  John,  and  Mary  the 
mother  of  our  Lord  on  the  eighth  day  present- 
ed their  children  to  the  Living  God  in  that 
ordinance.  And  although  under  the  chris- 
tian dispensation  there  is  no  day  particularly 
specified  on  which  our  offspring  should  be  of- 
fered up  in  baptism,  yet  unquestionably  the 
first  opportunity  should  be  embraced.     Bap- 


190  Sermon  8. 

tism  is  as  positively  enjoined  upon  us,  as  cir- 
cumcision was  upon  the  Jews  ;  the  promise 
is  no  less  explicit  to  us  and  to  our  children 
noWy  than  it  was  to  them  and  their  children 
formerly^  and  as  the  light  is  clearer  under  the 
present  than  under  the  former  dispensation 
the  neglect  of  our  duty  in  this  respect  is  more 
offensive  to  God  and  more  dangerous  to  the 
souls  of  our  children.  There  is  no  weight 
in  the  objection  frequently  urged  "  that  the 
baptism  of  infants  is  not  expressly  command- 
ed in  the  New-Testament  scriptures.'*  It  is 
enough  to  mention  that  circumsision,  the  in- 
itiating seal  of  the  covenant,  wtiS  early  impro- 
ved for  their  seed  by  the  believing  Jews,  and 
it  therefore  follows  by  obvious,  undeniable 
inference  that  baptism,  the  initiating  seal  of 
the  same  covenant,  should  be  early  improved 
for  their  seed  by  believing  Gentiles.  There 
is  no  positive  command  for  sanctifying,  as  the 
christian  sabbath,  the  first  day  of  the  week, 
yet  all  christians  unite  in  the  observation  of 
that  day,  because  it  was  uniformly  kept  holy 
by  our  Saviour  and  his  apostles,  and  is  not  the 
baptism  of  infants  enforced  by  the  same  high 
authority  ?  Were  not  '*  Lydia  and  her  house- 
hold, the  Jailor  and  his  household''  baptized 
by  those  veiy  apostles  who  received  their 
commission  from  our  Lord  immediately  be- 
fore hibiiscension  ?  Would  to  God  that  the 
mournful  neglect  of  this  eiuty  on  the  part  of  pa- 
rents arose  merely  from  scruples  of  con- 
science about  the  propriety  of  the  instiuUion  : 


Sermon  8.  191 

There  is  reason  to  apprehend  that  it  arises 
rather  from  a  spirit  of  deep  stupidity  and  bkim- 
ber  which  has  rested  upon  the  churches  : 
There  are  many  parents  who  discover  almost 
no  concern  for  tlieir  own  souls,  therefore  it  is 
not  to  be  expected  that  they  can  either  feel  or 
manifest  much  concern  about  the  souls  of 
their  offspring. 

2.   We  ought  to  train  up  our  children  by 
early  teaching  them  the  great  principles  of  re- 
ligion.    Gradually  as  the  powers  of  the  mind 
begin  to  unfold,  and  the  child  appears  ^  capa- 
ble of  reflection  it   should   be  taught  in   the 
most  plain,  impressive    manner    the    leading 
doctrines  of  salvation.     The  human  mind  is 
essentially  active,  and  must  be  employed.    It 
is  not   more  natural  for  the  body  to  breathe 
than  for  the  soul  to  reflect, and  unless  diligence 
is  exercised  to  give  to  the  thoughts  of  chil- 
dren a  proper  direction  they  are  in  danger  of 
becoming  wanton,  vicious,    and  a  prey  to  e- 
verv  temptation.  Parents  should  therefore  aim 
at  impressing  upon  their  minds  some  concep- 
tions of  the  Living  God  ;  endeavoring  to  in- 
form them  that  he  is  a  Being  infinitely   great, 
that  he  is  always  present  with  them,  and  there- 
fore   acquainted    with    their  thoughts,    and 
words,  and  actions  ;  they    should  also  teach 
them  the  near  relation  in  which  the  Great  God 
stands  to  them  as  the  ir  Creator  by  whom  their 
bodies  and  minds  were  formed,  and  from  whom 
were  derived  all  those  powers  of  both  by  which 
man  is   so  much  exalted  above  the  beasts 


195  Sermon  t. 

of  the  field  :  Children  should   also  be   early 
made  acquainted  with   their  fallen    condition 
by  nature    that  they  are  ''  conceived  in  sin,'* 
born  under  the  curse,  and  therefore    *'  chil- 
dren of  wrath  :"  In  attemptiiig  to  make  them 
acquainted   with  their  disease    by    transgres- 
sion, parents  ought  also  to  exhibit  the  infi- 
nite remedy   which  grace  has  provided ;  that 
the  Father  *^  sent  his  own  Son  to  be  the  Sa- 
viour of  the  world  ;  '  that  the  Eternal  Son  in 
order  to  become  a  suitable  Saviour  took   to 
himself  our  nature,  sustained  that  curse  to 
which  we  were  exposed,  and   hath    actual. 
ly  *'  made  peace  by  the  blood  of  his  cross ;" 
that  he  is  now  *'  able  to  save  to  the  uttermost" 
any  of  the  human  family  who   apply  that  re- 
demption which  is  in  his  blood,  and  that  he 
particularly  invites  ''  little  children"  to  come 
to  him  for  salvation-     Youth    ought  thus  to 
be  taught  in  the  most  obvious,  familiar  man- 
ner the  first  principles  of  our  holy   religion, 
and  probably   this  instruction  cannot  be  giv- 
en with  a  greater  probability  of  success  than 
by  question  and  answer.  This  mode  of  impar- 
ting divine  truth  to  the  ignorant  was  early  in- 
troduced into  the  church,  and    perhaps  has 
been  a  principal  mean  of  propagating  the  true 
doctrine  from  age  to  age.    The  Apostle  Paul 
exhorts  Timothy  to  **  hold  fast  that  form  of 
sound  words  which  he  had  heard,"  and  he 
thanks   God  in  behalf  of  the  Romans  that 
**  they  had  obeyed  from  the  heart  that  form  of 
doctrine  which  they  had  received,*'  and  he  also 


Sermon  8.  193 

speaks  oF  beinj^,  *'  nourished  up  in  the  words 
of  faith,  and  of  good  doctrine."  It  is  there- 
fore evident  that  the  attention  of  parents  ought 
very  early  to  be  directed  to  the  spiritual  in- 
struction of  their  ofTspring.  It  is  mentioned 
as  the  privilege  of  Timothy^  and  also  to  the 
honour  of  "  his  mother  and  grand-modier" 
that  from  a  child  lie  Tcnevj  the  holy  scriptures^ 
and  Solomon  also  relates  to  the  honor  of  his 
Father,  and  as  a  pattern  for  the  imitation  of 
parents  in  succeeding  ages,  "  he  taught  me 
also,  and  said  unto  me,  wisdom  is  the  princi- 
pal thing,  therefore  get  wisdom  and  w^ith  ail 
thy  getting,  get  understanding  :  Exalt  her 
and  she  shall  promote  thee  ;  she  shall  bring 
thee  to  honor^  when  thou  dost  eml)race  her." 
3.  This  duty  ought  to  be  discharged  by 
the  administration  of  suitable,  and  seasona- 
ble correction*  The  rod  is  as  really  an  ordi- 
nance of  God  as  prayer,  or  instruction,  or  any 
other  institution  of  religion,  and  when  appli- 
ed in  a  prudent,  rational  manner  is  perhaps 
not  less  conducive  to  the  true  interests  of 
youth.  "  Foolishness  is  bound  in  the  heart 
of  a  child,  but  the  rod  of  correction  shall  drive 
it  far  from  him."  Again,  *'  Withhold  not 
correction  from  the  child— thou  shalt  beat 
him  with  the  rod,  and  shalt  deliver  his  soul 
from  hell :'  This  same  inspired  teacher  men- 
tions in  another  chapter,  **  the  rod  and  re- 
proof give  wisdom,  but  a  child  left  to  him- 
self bringeth  his  mother  to  shame."  It  is 
worthy  of  observation  that  in  this,  and  other 


194  Sermon  8. 

places  correction  and  instruction  are  recom- 
mended together,  and  if  we  would  employ 
the  rod  wilh  success  it  should  upon  all  occa> 
bions  be  connected  with  becomin^^  admoni- 
tion. The  fault  committed  by  the  child  should 
be  deliberately  presented  to  its  view  with  its 
various  aggravations  ;  the  offender  should  be 
solemnly  warned  that  every  "  sin  is  a  trans- 
gression of  the  divine  law,"  and  exposes  the 
transgressor  to  the  wrath  of  God  both  in  this 
■world  and  in  the  next  ;  the  child  ought  also 
to  be  admonished  that  sin  if  persisted  in 
will  bring  it  to  reproach  among  men, 
while  it  exposes  to  the  wrath  of  an  infinite 
God.  The  m.ind  should  thus  be  prepared  by 
suitable  instruction  and  warning  before  the  rod 
is  applied.  A  very  useful  commentator  re- 
marks upon  this  passage,  ''  if  reproof  ansv/ers 
the  end  without  the  rod,  it  is  well  ;  but  the 
rod  should  never  be  used  w^ithout  reproof:'' 
And  a  late,  celebrated  writer^-  mentions  that 
''  some  pious  parents  have  made  it  an  invari- 
able rule, as  soon  as  their  children  could  read, 
never  to  correct  them,  until  they  bad  read  o- 
ver  all  the  passages  of  scripture  which  com- 
mand it,  and  generally  accompanied  it  with 
prayer  to  God  for  his  blessing." 

I  already  mieniioned  that  correction  was  an 
ordinance  divinely  appointed  for  reclaiming 
the  young  offender  ;  it  ought  therefore  like  all 
other  divine  institutions  to  be  employed  in  o- 
bedience  to  the  command  of  God,  and  with  a 

^  Withf.rspoon'j  Letters  on  Education. 


Sermon  8>  1^3 

Immbie  dependence  on  his  blessing  for  its  effi- 
cacy:  iiiit  perhaps  there  is  scarcely  any  part  of 
their  conduct  in  which  parents  so  generally  and 
mournfully  err  as  in  the  correction  of  their 
children  :  The  rod  is  rarely  taken  up  by  them 
except  when  they  are  under  the  influence  of 
angry  passions  ;  they  then  chastise  their  chil- 
dren rather  as  merely  animal  than  rational  be- 
ings who  are  to  be  reclaimed  by  rational  me- 
thods ;  the  child  under  such  treatment  is  indu- 
ced to  believe  that  the  chastisement  was  ad- 
ministered rather  to  gratify  a  vindictive  spi- 
rit than  to  promote  its  temporal  or  spiritual  in- 
terests, and  the  consequences  are  often  deplo- 
rable in  the  extreme.  The  dispositions  of  the 
youngare soured,  their affectionsbecome  alien- 
uted  from  their  parents,  and  instead  of  being 
recovered  to  the  paths  of  virtue,  and  religi- 
on they  are  often  driven  to  greater  enormities 
in  vice  and  impiety.  I  have  no  doubt  but 
many  promising  children  are  lost ;  complete- 
ly sacrificed  to  themselves,  to  their  connec- 
tions, to  the  church,  to  society,  and  perhaps 
for  eternity  by  the  rash,  untender,  injudici- 
ous conduct  of  parents  in  their  government  : 
But  on  the  other  hand,  the  rod  when  season- 
ably applied  ;  when  accompanied  with  suita- 
ble advice  convincing  the  child  that  it  is  in- 
flicted from  a  sense  of  duty,  and  with  a  conv 
cern  for  its  real  interests ;  more  especially 
Vv'hen  it  is  accompanied  w^ith  prayer  to  Him 
who  can  crov/n  it  vrith  efficacy,  the  rod  thus 
iidministcred  is  a   hoppy  mean  for  humbling 


196  SermoTi  8. 

the  pride  of  the  heart,  for  subduing  the  stub- 
horn  will,  for  producing  filial  affection,  and 
training  up  the  young  for  usefulness  on  earth,, 
and  happiness  in  heaven  Very  probably 
many  when  advanced  in  life,  and  who  are 
rendered  cnninent  ornaments  of  the  church 
can  trace  back  their  recovery  from  the  paths 
of  vice,  perhaps  their  first  serious  impressions, 
to  the  rod  applied  by  the  hand  of  a  prudent 
parent. 

4.  This  duty  of  training  up  children  is  to 
be  discharged  by  adding  suitable  example  to 
instruction  and  correction.  This  is  a  princi- 
ple in  which  mankind  are  so  universally  agreed 
that  it  might  be  considered  as  unnecessary  to 
enlarge  upon  it.  The  old  adage  **  that  ex- 
ample teaches  better  than  precept"  is  pecu- 
liarly true  in  relation  to  children  who  are  na- 
turally prone  to  imitate,  and  particularly  to, 
imitate  their  parents  with  whom  they  are  gen- 
erally conversing,  and  for  whom  they  usually 
entertain  a  more  than  ordinary  respect.  In- 
deed, ail  parental  instruction  unless  enforced 
])y  becoming  example  will  expose  not  only 
the  truths  taught,  but  parents  themselves  to 
the  scorn  of  their  offspring.  How  must  the 
person,  and  the  admonitions  of  a  father  sink 
in  the  estimation  of  his  children  if  they  are  o- 
bliged  occasionally  to  take  care  of  him  under 
the  influence  of  intoxication,  or  if  they  know 
that  he  violates  the  marriage  covenant  by  acts, 
of  uncleanness?  In  vain  does  he  caution  them 
against  swearing  if  he  himself  is  profane  ;  or 


Sermon  8.  197 

exhort  theiii  to  love  their  neighbors  if  he  evin. 
ces  his  own  enmity  against  them  by  injuring 
their  property,  or  defaming  their  character 
when  opportunity  offers  :  In  vain  does  he  ad- 
monish them  to  "  remember  the  sabbath  day 
and  keep  it  holy"  if  he  wantonly  wastes, 
that  day  in  idleness,  or  loose,  carnal  conversa- 
tion :  Can  he  rationally  expect  by  all  his  in- 
structions to  infuse  into  their  minds  habits  of 
reverence  for  the  ordinances  of  religion  if  he 
neglects  the  worship  of  the  sanctuary,  or 
shortens  or  omits  the  devotions  of  the  family 
for  some  trifling  inconvenience  ?  Can  he  sue-. 
cessfully  impress  their  souls  with  the  belief 
that  *'  godliness  is  great  gain  ;"  that  the 
**  ways  of  religion  are  ways  of  pleasantness 
and  that  all  the  things  which  we  can  desire, 
are  not  to  be  compared  to  it,"  when  the  duties 
of  Christianity  appear  rather  a  drudgery  than  a 
delight  to  himself  ;  wiien  he  seemi'ngly  seeks 
excuses  for  neglectingthctn,  and  when  the  cares 
of  this  world  appear  to  occupy  his  thoughts  as 
if  there  was  neither  heaven  nor  hell  ?  Be  not 
deceived,  beloved  parents,  if  ye  would  train 
up  your  children  in  the  way  they  should  go 
you  must  not  mtYt\y  instruct,  but  your  actions 
must  correspond  with  your  instructions. 
Would  you  lead  them  to  hate  **  the  \tvy  ap- 
pearance of  evil"  you  must  convince  them 
that  it  is  odious  to  yourselves  not  only  by  talk- 
ing against  it,  but  by  avoiding  it':  If  you 
would  persuade  them  that  religion  is  "\he 
one  thing  needful ;"  that  it  is  ^^more  to  be  de- 
Pv   2 


198  Sermon  8» 

sired  than  gold,  and  worthy  of  all  acceptation" 
you  must  convince  them  by  your  own  pleasure 
in  speaking  of  it,  and  in  attending  its  duties 
that  it  is  the  chief  source  of  rejoicing  to  your- 
selves :  If  you  would  impress  them  with  a 
veneration  for  Jehovah  as  a  Being  infinitely 
great,  you  must  convince  them  by  your  own 
conduct  that  '^  your  fiesh  trembles  for  fear  of 
him,''  or  inspire  them  with  love  to  Him  as  in- 
finitely good  they  must  discern  from  your  own 
conduct  that  your  own  love  to  him  is  supreme: 
Would  you  persuade  them  to  obey  the  se- 
cond great  command  of  the  law  which  is  to 
*'  love  thy  neighbor  as  thyself"  you  must  con- 
vince them  by  shewing  all  respect  to  the  cha- 
racter of  thy  neighbor  v.hen  absent,  and  ta 
his  feelings  when  present  that  you  are  inter- 
ested in  his  welfare.  He  therefore  who  ex- 
pects to  *'  bring  up  his  children  in  the  nur- 
ture and  admonition  of  the  Lord"  must  en- 
force his  instruction  by  suitable  example  :  He 
should  aim  upon  all  occasions  at  conversing 
and  acting  before  them  as  he  desires  to  form 
them  for  conversation,  and  action.  It  was  a 
maxim  among  the  Romans  that  *'  nothing 
impure  should  be  seen  or  heard  within  the 
walls  where  children  are  lodged/* 

From  these  few  remarks  on  the  manner  ia 
which  our  offspring  should  be  trained  up  we 
proceed, 

II.  To  consider  our  obligations  to  attend, 
with  fidelity  to  this  duty. 

1.  Our  obligation  arises  from  the  authority 


Sermon  8.  199 

of  God   who  has   particularly    enjoined  it. 
While  it  is  his  pleasure  to  separate  a  people 
for  himself  in  our  guilty  world,  this  purpose 
he  usually  accomplishes  hy  family  instruction 
as  the    principal   mean.     Through    the  pru, 
dence  and  diligence  of  parents  the  plant  ordi- 
narily receives  its  first  cultivation  which  is  de- 
signed to  adorn  the  vineyard  on  earth,  and  is 
destined  to  flourish  hereafter  in   the  paradise 
above.     No  doubt   much  m.ay   be  done,  and 
has    been  done,  by   a  skilful,   conscientious 
ministry  for  promoting  the  spiritual  interests 
of  youth,  but  probably  more  may  be  done  by 
the  prudence  and  fidelity  of  parents,  and  up- 
on the  latter  the  Head  of  the  church  has  more 
immediately  enjoined  this  service.     "  Ye  fa- 
thers, provoke  not  your  children  to  wrath,  but 
bring  them  up  in  the  nurture  and  admonition  of 
the  Lord."     Parents    possess  advantages  for 
directing  their  offspring  to  the  choice  of  reli- 
gion and  virtue  which  are  not  enjoyed  by   o- 
thers.     Being  constantly  present   with  them 
they   become  acquainted  with  their  different 
dispositions,   with  those  lusts  which  are  most 
likely  to  predominate  in  future  life,  and  have 
thus  an  opportunity  of  ea  ly  eradicating  or  re- 
straining those  lusts  ;  they  may  be  often  in- 
structing and  advising  them,  reproving  their 
little  follies   and  vanities,  or  cherishing    any 
serious  impressions  which  are  produced  in 
their  minds.     The  Lord  God  may  therefore 
be  considered  as  addressing  each  parent  or 
bead  of  a  family  in  the  following  manner,  *'  I 


200  Senncn  8. 

have  set  theea  watchman  over  this  household ; 
1  have  committed  to  thy  care  these  young 
immortals  that  they  may  be  trained  up  for  my 
service,  and  at  your  hand  will  I  require  their 
biood  if  you  are  unfaithful  to  the  trust  ;  but 
in  the  zealous,  and  persevering  discharge  of 
thy  duty  I  leave  thee  this  encouragement  that, 
when  they  are  old,  they  shall  not  depart  from 
the  paths  which  in  obedience  to  my  com- 
mand thou  mayest  recommend  :"  Jehovah, 
Vv^ho  has  positively  enjoined  this  duty,  pro- 
mises a  liberal  reward  even  to  parents  them- 
selves in  performing  it.  **  I  know  Abraham," 
saith  God,  ''  that  he  will  command  his  chil- 
dren and  his  househould  after  him,  and  they 
shall  keep  the  way  of  the  Lord  to  do  justice, 
and  judgment ;  that  the  Lord  may  bring  up- 
on Abraham  that  vvhich  he  hath  spoken  of 
him/' 

2.  The  obligation  of  parents  to  discharge 
this  duty  arises  from  a  concern  for  the  spiri- 
tual and  everlastins:  interests  of  their  children. 
As  the  instruments  of  their  existence  they  are 
reasonably  bound  by  Qv^ry  possible  method 
to  promote  their  real  welfare  :  and  very  pro- 
bably that  affection  which  parents  have  for 
their  offspring,  and  that  solicitude  which  they 
feel  for  their  future  condition  wss  designed 
by  the  Author  of  our  nature  to  render  the  du- 
ty of  instructing  them  more  easily  discharged  : 
Through  the  powerful  influence  of  parental 
fondness,  to  watch  over  their  children,  to  in- 
struct, to  expostulate  with  them,  and  to  cor- 


Sermon  8.  ^01 

rcct  them  for  their  misbehaviour  which  would 
otherwise  be  merely  a  duty,  and  might  often 
hQ  considered  a  drudgery  becomes  a  delight. 
While  the  divine  authority  binds  them  to  this 
service,  affection  to  their  offspring,  and  a  con- 
cern for  their  prosperity  hereafter  prompts 
them  cheerfully  to  perform  it.  There  is  ano- 
ther circumstance  which  renders  this  duty- 
more  easily,  and  conveniently  discharged  on 
the  part  of  parents,  that  is,  the  long  period 
during  which  their  children  remain  depend- 
ant upon  them.  In  this  respect  man  may  be 
considered  an  exception  from  almost  every 
other  part  of  the  creation.  The  offspring  of 
the  fowl  continue  only  a  few  weeks  in  a  state 
of  minorit}^,  until  they  attain  to  the  perfection 
of  their  nature,  and  become  capable  of  mana- 
ging for  themselves  :  The  offspring  of  the  va- 
rious orders  of  animals  in  general  remain  de- 
pendent on  their  dam  only  a  few  months,  un- 
til they  throw  off  their  subordination,  and  be- 
gin to  look  abroad  for  their  own  j  rovision  : 
But  in  the  family  of  man  children  continue 
dependent  upon  their  parents  nearly  one  third 
of  their  duration  in  this  world  ;  they  ordina- 
ly  arrive  at  the  age  of  sixteen,  or  eighteen,  or 
even  twenty  years  before  they  become  matu- 
red  either  in  body  or  mind,  and  are  capable 
of  managing  for  themselves  :  During  this  long 
period  parents  are  invested  with  authority  o- 
ver  them,  and  considered  their  teachers  and 
guardians  :  They  have  thus  a  full  opportuni- 
ty, by  precept,  by  example,  by    correction, 


^02  Sermon  8. 

by  admonition  to  inform  their  understandingSj 
to  improve  their  hearts,  and  train  them  up  to 
hiibits  of  order  both  in  the  church  and  in  so- 
ciety. 

3.   Parents  are  obligated  to  the  faithful  dis- 
charge of  this  duty  from  a  regard  to  their  own 
future  comfort.      How  animating  amidst   the 
various  afflictions  of  life  would  be  the  prospect 
of  leaving  an   offspring  to  adorn  the  church, 
and  bless   the  world    when    they  themselves 
must  be  removed  from  it  ;  to  reflect  that  the 
void    which  is  made  by  their  departure  will 
probably  be  filled  by  the  succession  of  their 
children  in  their  place  ?  How   pleasing   must 
it  be  beyond  expression  for  a   loving  parent 
to  look  forward  in  imagination,  and  behold  a 
son,  or  daughter  seated  hereafter  on  the  right 
hand  of  the  Judge  among  the  nations   of  the 
saved,  to  hear  them  publicly   acknowledged 
as  having  occupied    with  fidelity  the   talents 
entrusted  with  them,  and  then  invited  to  that 
kingdom  which  was  prepared  for  the  righte- 
ous from  everlasting.     Surely  heaven  to  pa- 
rents would  be  enhanced,  all  its  joys  and  glo- 
ries rendered  inconceivably  more  precious  by 
this    prospect  of  participation.     If  Paul  pro- 
nounced the  believing   Thessalonians  his  joy 
and  croxun,   merely  because  they   were   con- 
verted  by  his   ministry,  although  otherwise 
strangers  to  him,  what  interest  must  the  fond 
father  or  mother  feel  in  the  salvation  of  their 
offspring  of  whose  existence  they  had    been 
instruments,    and  who  became  endeared  to 


Sermon  8.  203 

them  by  long  intercourse,  and  the  most  inti- 
mate fellowship ;  whose  interests  were  thus 
fco  nearly  blended,  and  rendered  almost  the 
same  with  their  own.  Surely  this  prospect, 
we  should  suppose,  might  have  the  infiuence 
of  a  thousand  arguments  exciting  and  animat- 
ing parents  to  a  becoming  zeal  in  the  spiritual 
nurture  of  their  offspring  :  It  might  give  fer- 
vor to  their  daily  supplications  for  them  ;  it 
might  add  earnestness  to  their  instructions 
and  expostulations  xviiji  them,  and  lead  them 
to  look  with  a  holy  anxiety  for  the  precious 
fruits  in  their  conversion  ;  it  might  render 
them  in  a  great  measure  indifferent  about  c- 
verythingconcerningtheir children,  excepting 
their  souls,  and  their  everlasting  welfiu'e  ;  it 
should  animate  them  in  imitation  of  the  great 
apostle  to  travail  as  in  birth,  to  endure  all 
things  for  their  sakes  that  they  might  be 
brought  to  obtain  salvation  in  Jesus  Christ 
with  eternal  giory. 

Fron;  this  doctrine  as  thus  illustrated  we 
may  infer — - 

1.  The  very  important,  and  responsible 
station  which  parents  occupy  in  relation  to 
their  children.  They  are  constituted  by  the 
Great  God  as  their  spiritual  overseers,  and 
the  immortal  destinies  of  their  seed  are  in  a 
certain  sense  committed  to  their  trust,  a  trust 
which  must  be  regarded  as  equally  interesting, 
and  arduous,  and  honorable.  It  may  be  con- 
sidered as  a  distinguishing  glory  conferred 
upon  any  that  they  should  have  an  offspring. 


204  Semon  8. 

Children  are  therefore  pronounced  on  herit^ 
age  of  Jehovah,  and  theyr../>  of  the  ivomh  is 
represented  as  his  reward'.  But  it  is  a  much 
more  distinguishing  honour  conferred  upon 
parents  that  they  should  be  ordained  the  spi- 
ritual  guardians  of  their  offspring,  and  employ- 
ed as  instruments  to  rear  them  up  for  glory 
to  God,  and  usefulness  to  their  generation. 
Paul  devoutly  "-  thanks  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ 
that  he  counted  him  faithful  putting  him  into 
the  ministry,"  and  called  him  to  *'  preach  to 
fellow- sinners  the  unsearchable  riches  of 
Christ :"  But  this  honor  in  some  degree  have 
all  parents  being  intrusted  with  the  spiritual 
education  of  their  children,  and  appointed  to 
*'  bring  them  up  in  the  nurture  and  admoni- 
tion of  the  Lord."  They  may  be  considered 
as  occupying  the  station  of  **  ambassadors  for 
Christ,  praying  those"  who  are  committed  to 
their  charge  "  to  be  reconciled  unto  God  :*' 
And  should  they  succeed  in  this  embassy,  and 
their  expostulations  be  effectual  for  restoring 
a  son  or  daughter  from  the  wretchedness  of 
their  fallen  state  it  will  be  a  monument  to  their 
honor  more  imperishable  than  either  marble 
or  brass  :  Each  child  or  servant  brought  to 
salvation  through  their  instrumentality  will  be 
a  jewel  in  the  crown  not  only  of  Jesus  the  Me- 
diator, but  in  their  own  crown  ;  it  will  secure 
to  them  through  the  exceeding  riches  of  divine 
grace  a  residence  among  those  who  having 
**  turned  sinners  to  righteousness  shall  shine 
as  the  stars  forever  and  ever  :"  And  are  theie 


Pennon  8.  205 

not  promises  without  number  in  behalf  of 
their  children  which  may  encourage  parents 
to  a  holy  diligence  in  ''  reproving,  and  rebu- 
king, and  exhorting  them."  I'he  Lord  thy 
God  will  circumcise  thine  heart,  and  the  heart 
of  thy  seed  to  love  tlie  Lord  thy  God — that 
thou  mayest  live  :  I  will  give  them  one  heart, 
and  one  way,  that  they  may  fear  me  for  ever 
for  the  good  of  thein,  and  of  their  children  af- 
ter them. ' 

2.   Is  such,  belcved  parents,   is   such   the 
honor  of  your  station,  is  such  your  encourage- 
ment to   persevere   in   discharging  its  duties, 
shake  off  that  sloth  which  you  may  have  for- 
merly indulged,  crucify  that  worldly  temper 
which  may  have  chilled  your  ardor  in  promo- 
ting the  spiritual  interests  of  your  offspring  : 
Hereafter  let  their  usefulness  in  time,  and  their 
glory  through  eternity  be  your  only  anxiety 
respecting   them.     Look    occasionally    upon 
each  individual  under  your  cai^e,  whether  male 
or  female,  wdiether  bond  or  free,  as  destined 
for  an   immortal  duration  ;  reflect  that  they 
must  soon  die,  and  be  judged,  and  pass  to 
an  unchanging  abode  ;  look  forward  through 
the  ever  revolving  ages  of  eternity,  and  present 
them  to  your  imagination  as  unutterably  bles- 
sed in  the  enjoyment  of  Jehovah,  or  damned  in 
hell  ^*  with  the  devil  and  his  angels,"  and  then 
say,  does  not  all,  your  solicitude  about  securing 
for  them  the  riches  or  honors  of  this  world  in- 
stantly give  way  to  a  solicitude  about  the  in- 
finitely more  important  realities  of  the  world 
to  coiiiie  ?  Do  not  all  the  wealth  and  glories 
s 


206  Scr7non  8. 

of  the  present  state  compared  with  the  con- 
cerns of  a  future  state,  appear  insignificant  in 
your  estimatioii  as  a  single  grain  of  dust  con- 
trasted with  a  mountain,  or  a  drop  of  water 
compared  to  an  ocean  P  And  remember  that 
their  future  destination,  inider  God,  depends 
much  on  yourselves.  "  Train  up  a  child  in 
the  way  he  should,  go,"  is  the  declaration  of 
Ilim  whose  word  is  more  stable  than  the  ever- 
lasting hills,  **  and  when  he  is  old  he  will  not 
depart  from  it  i''^^^"  But  Avilhout  diligence  on 
you.r  part  you  have  no  promise  for  them  ei- 
ther of  grace  here,  or  glory  hereafter. 

Permit  me  again  to  recall  to  your  attention 
a  consideration  already  noticed,  which  may 
animate  vou  to  dilifjence  in  the  discharge  of 
this  duty,  that  is,  your  ovrn  peace  and  conso- 
lation hereafter.  What  a  pleasure  would  it 
ailbrd  you,  when  forewarned  by  the  infirmi- 
ties of  age  of  your  approaching  dissolution, 
to  reilect  that  you  leave  behind  you  a  seed  for 
the  service  of  the  Lord  z/oz/r  God  ;  some  v.iio 
will  appear  as  witnesses  for  him  when  your 
iips  are  silent  in  death  ;  who  will  occupy  a 
seat  in  the  sanctuary  when  your  bodies  arc 
s:athered  to  their  fathers,  and  who  will  assist 

*  '*  ]  kntiv  a  pious,  and  judicious  minister  who  af- 
f.rmed  that  we  did  not  give  credit  to  God's  word,  // 
zc^e  did  not  b^iieve  the  certainty  of  the  protnise,  as  wtll 
as  the  obligation  to  the  duty  ;  he  was  of  opinion  that 
every  parent  when  he  seemed  to  /ail  should  conclude 
that  he  himself  hod  been  undutiful,  and  not  that  God 
.had  been  unf aith/uL'". ,.■,., \V\Vi)QTSi)OQi\  on  the  edu- 
cation uf  children. 


Sermon  S.  207 

ill  relieving  tjjc  poor,    and   in  promoting  the 
interests  of  society  when  '*your  hibors  of  love'* 
must  have  ceased  for  ever  ?  Although  natu- 
rally dead  yet,    with   such    a    prospeci,   you 
niight  expect  virtually  to  live  in  your  posteri- 
ty, live  to  the  glory  of  God,  and   to  the  real 
advantage  both  of  the  church  and  the  \vorld. 
It  was  to  David,  when  admonished  of  his  de- 
parture from  the  service  of  the  earthly  sanctu- 
ary, a  source  of  the  most  refined,  substantial 
joy  that  Solomon  his  son  was  '*  to  reign  in  his 
stead  ;''  that  he  should  erect  a  temple  for  the 
worship  of  Israel's  God,  and  thus  prove  in- 
strumental in  perpetuating  his  name   in  tJie 
world  ;  and  Aaron,  the  High  Priest,  appeared 
cheerful  in  stripping  off  hispontifical  garments, 
and  resigning  his  office  in  the  cliurch  when  he 
knew  that  he  should  be  succeeded  by  Elea- 
zer  his  son. 

I  have  only  to  remark  that,  if  you  expect  to 
succeed  in  training  up  your  offspring  for  the 
Living  God  ;  to  see  them  your  joy  now,  and 
your  croxvn  hereafter,  you  must  live  as  you 
exhort  them  to  live  ;  you  must  aim  at  giving 
emphasis  to  every  admonition  by  a  correspon- 
dent example.  How  contemptible  does  that 
minister  necessaiily  become  in  the  estimation 
of  every  discerning  hearer  Vr  ho  exhorts  oihers 
to^  *'  crucify  the  iiesh,  and  follow  after  ho- 
liness," while  he  himself  is  the  Vv-illing:  slave 
of  corruption,  and  children  are  more  shrewd 
to  di:scern  whether  there  is  a  consistence  be- 
tween your  exhortations  and  vour  jrcneral  de- 


20S  Scrmoji  S, 

portment  than  you  imngine  :  Nay,  such  often 
is  their  aversion  to  God  and  his  service,  that 
they  v/ould  vviliingly  find  a  pretext  in  yonr  ir- 
i^ef^ularities  for  rtjecting  your  admonitions. 
Convince  them,  therefore,  by  a  conscientious 
discharge  of  every  duty  in  the  closet,  and  fa- 
Vnilv,  and  sanctuary,  that  '*  the  kingdom  of 
God  is  not  in  word  but  in  power  ;"  Endea- 
vor also,  by  honesty  in  all  }'0ur  dealings,  by 
tenderness  to  the  reputation  of  others,  by 
j^entleness  of  spirit,  by  a  readiness  to  forgive 
those  who  offend  or  injure  you,  by  submission 
to  your  Father's  v/ill  under  the  evils  of  life,  to 
convince  theni  of  the  excellence  of  christian 
principles  by  the  excellence  of  their  fruits  in 
vour  own  lives  ;  that  '*  the  wisdom  which  is 
fi'om  above  is  first  pure,  then  peaceable,  gen- 
tle and  easy  to  be  entreated  ;  without  partial- 
ity and  without  hypocrlcy." 

3.  I  cannot  dismiss  this  subject  without  in- 
viting the  attention  of  my  beloved  youth.  Ma- 
ny  of  yoti  whom  I  nov/  address  are  the  off- 
spring of  the  righteous,  and  have  been  favor- 
ed V.  ith  all  those  advantages  which  either  pi- 
ous instruction,  or  example  could  itfford. 
You  were  early  dedicated  to  Jehovah  your 
Creator  and  Redeemer  in  the  ordinance  of 
baptism,  and  your  own  consciences  are  wit- 
nesses with  what  earnestness  your  parents 
have  pressed  you  to  consider  "  the  things 
which  belong  to  your  peace."  Must  you  not 
exculpate  them  by  acknowledging  that,  sab- 
bath after  sabbath,  they  have  set  before  you 


Sermon  8.  209 

"  life  and  death,  the  blessing  and  the  curse" 
uri^inff  vou,  somethiies  with  tears,  to  choose 
the  fonner  as  vour  bnly    interest,  and  glory  ? 
I  may  venture  to  add  that  a  holy   God  is  wit- 
ness of  their  importunity,  "  making  mention 
of  vou  in   their  payers  night  and  day,     that 
your  soLils  might  be  saved  at  the  appearing  ot 
our  Lord  Jesus  Christ.      Nay,    ray   young 
friends,  has  not  a  Holy  God  often  witnessed 
the  anxietv,  and  agony  experienced  by  your 
parents  on   account  of  your  seeming  uncon- 
cern and  impenitence  ?  Very  probably  they 
have  occasionallv  poured  out  their  souls  be- 
fore him  in  such  plaintive  language    as  this, 
"OLord,  the  Great  and  terrible    God,  we 
presented  these  our  children  to  thee  in  bap- 
tism ;  we  cheerfully  and  solemnly  surrender- 
ed them  as  an  offering  to  the  Father,  Son  and 
Spirit  with  fervent  desires  that  they  might  be 
thine  only  and  everlastingly  ;    accoroing  to 
the    wisdom    givcii    us  we    have    aimed   at 
training  them  up  for  thee,  and  thv   service  ; 
we  have  taught  them  from  thy  word  that  •  all 
have   sinned  ;"    that    "  the    wages   of  sin   is 
death,"  and  that  if  they  neglect  the  great  sal- 
vation thev  shall  not,  they  cuniiot  escape  :  But 
O  Lord,  they   have  not  believed  oitr  report, 
or   rather    %  report  by  our  lips  concerning 
these  things  :    Notwithstanding   all  our  dili- 
gence in  teaching  them,  and  ail  our  importu- 
nity in  admonishing  and  exhorting  tliem  they 
appear  to  remain  hardened  under  the  deceit- 
fuiness  of  sin  ;  thoughtless  of  God  who  crc 


s  2 


210  Sermon  8, 

ated  them,  of  Jesus  who  bled  to  redeem  them, 
of  death  to  which  they  are  hourly   hastening, 
of  heaven  which  is  prepared  as  an  eternal  man- 
sion for  the  pure,  and  of  hell  which  is  the  fi- 
nal, gloomy    abode    of  the    impenitent  :"  I 
sincerely    believe,    my  precious  young  hear- 
ers, that    the    Living  God,  and  surrounding 
angels  have  often  heard    your  father,  or  mo- 
ther, or  perhaps   both  of  them  pouring  forth 
their  melancholy   complaints,  refusing  to  be 
com.forted  through  a  fi-arfu!  apprehension  that 
you  would  not  be  saved.     If  you    have   any 
reflection    remaining,    these    things    demand 
your  immediate,  deliberate,  and  most  solemn 
reflection  :  Your  privileges  are,  indeed,  great 
ns  you    are    the   offspring  of  the    righteous. 
Promises  are  m.ade  to  you,  and  may  be  plead 
by  you  v^hich  are    not   made  to   all,  neither 
can  be  plead  by  all.     *'  I  will   be  a   God  to 
thee  and  to  thy  seed  after  thee  :  The  children 
of  thy  servants  shall  continue,  and   their  seed 
shall  be  established  before  thee."     These  are 
promises  the  accomplishment   of  which  you 
are   authorised  to  plead  from  the  very  cir- 
cumstance that  you  have  descended  from  the 
loins  of  the  just,  promises  which  may  encou- 
rage you  to  wrestle  with  Jehovah  for  his  bles- 
sing while  your  parents  are   living,  and  after 
they  are  dead.     But  be  it  known  to  you  that 
if  your  opportunities  are  not  improved  your 
guilt  will  have  a  colouring,  and  yo-ir  torment 
a  poignancy  from  which  the  guilt  and  the  tor- 
ment of  ethers  will  be  almost  infinitely  re- 


Sermon  8.  211 

mote.  All  the  earnestness  of  your  parents  in- 
structing  and  exhorting  you  ;  all  their  fervor 
in  praying  with  you  and  in  your  behalf;  all  that 
agony  which  often  rends  their  hearts  by  day 
when  occupied  in  tlieircommon  employments, 
or  by  night  when  sleep  departs  from  their  eyes 
through  solicitude  for  your  souls,  these  are  all 
known  to  God  the  impartial  Judge,  and  the 
fearful  record  will  be  read  in  your  hearing  be- 
fore the  collected  millions  of  angels  and  men  : 
I  feel  costrained  also  to  inform  vou  that  since 
you  have  been  warned  of**  your  wicked  ways" 
and  besought  to  return  and  live,  besought 
with  all  that  earnestness  which  parental  affec- 
tion could  inspire,  if  you  obstinately  refuse, 
**  you  must  die  in  your  iniquity, but  they  have 
deliveredtheir  own  souls  ;''  Your  blood  must 
rest  upon  your  own  heads,  and  there  will  be 
none  to  interpose  and  shield  you,  none  to  of- 
fer up  a  prayer  for  you,  none  to  drop  a  tear 
over  your  misery  in  heaven,  or  earth,  or  liell. 
The  arm  of  an  omnipotent,  indignant  God, 
raised  higher  and  higher,  by  all  the  ihreaten- 
ings  which  you  have  spurned,  and  all  the  for- 
bearance which  you  have  abused  will  grind 
you  to  powder  when  there  is  none  to  deliver. 

Be  admonished,  my  dear  young  hearers 
and  readers,  to  arise  from  your  security,  and 
strive  to  enter  in  before  the  door  of  mercy  is 
shut  against  you  forever.  Mourn  over  your 
misimprovement  of  privileges  to  that  God 
whose  authority  you  have  despised,  and  whose 
spirit  you  have  grieved  :  Make  confession  to 


212  Sermon  8. 

your  hoh^  parents  for  all  those  meltings  of 
soul,  those  gloomy  clays  and  sleepless  nights 
which  \  our  imnietv  has  occasioned  to  them  : 
Aim  hereafter  at  healing:  the  wounds  which 
your  former  follies  have  inflicted  by  greater 
humility  of  conduct,  and  a  more  ardent  zeal 
ia  working  out  your  salvation  :  '  How  atl'tct- 
ing  beyond  what  language  can  describe  would 
be  the  thought  that  any  of  you  who  are  the 
children  of  so  many  prayers,  and  tears,  and 
entrccities  should  behold  }our  pious  parents 
on  the  rieht  hand  of  the  jucU^e  in   the  hour  of 

o  J         o 

retribution,  whi]e}ou  were  doomed  to  the  left, 
or  to  beheld  them  in  heaven  reclining  on  A- 
braham's  bosom  while  you  were  tormented 
in  the  flames  of  hell  ?  I  shall  now  bid  you  an 
affectionate  far  cwdl^  repeating  a  very  solemn, 
and  I  tliink,  alpresent  seasonable  admonition  : 
It  was  among  the  last  addresses  ol  David  the 
king  to  a  favorite  child,  and  his  successor  to 
the  throne  of  Israel,  "  thou  Solomon,  m.y 
son,  know  thou  the  God  of  thv  father,  and 
serve  him,  with  a  perfect  heart,  and  with  a 
willing  mind  ;  for  the  Lord  searchethail  hearts 
and  understar.deth  all  the  imaginations  of  the 
thoughts  ;  if  thou  seek  liim  he  will  be  found 
of  thee,  but  if  thou  forsake  him,  he  will  cast 
thee  oft' forever." 


SERMON  IX. 

HEBREWS    III.    13. 

Exhort  one  another  daily, 
MAN  was  endowed  by   his  Creator 
with  extensive  powers  both  tor  exertion  and 
usefuhiess,  and  all  these  powers  like  so  ma- 
ny taients,entrusted  with  a  particular  steward, 
ought  to    be  devoted  to  those  purposes   for 
which  they  were  originally  bestowed.     Each 
individual,  however,  is  not  to  be  considered 
in  an  insulated  view,  unconnected  with  other 
men, or  formed  to  promote  a  separate  interest : 
He  should  rather  be  contemplated  in  a  social 
and  relative  light ;  as  a  link  in  a  great  chain 
on  which  the  strength,  and  beauty  of  the  whole 
chain   in  some   measure  depends,  or  as   the 
member  of  a  great  flmiily  who  owes  particular 
duties,  not  only  to  his  Creator  the   comrnoa 
head  of  it,  but  to  his   brethren   of  mankind. 
This  generosity  and  disinterestedness  of  con- 
duct was  often  recommended  by  the  Apostle 
to  his  hearers,  and  readers.    "  Look  not  every 
man  on  his  own  things,  indulge  not   a  little, 
contracted,  illiberal  spirit  which  terminates 
in  self;    which  consults  the  convenience,  or 
interest  of  an  individual  to  the  exclusion,  or 
even  neglect  of  others  ;  recollect  in  your  in- 
tercouse  with  each  other  that  as  men  you  are 
the  children  of  one  Father,  and  therefore  in- 
volved in  one  common  interest,  and  as  christiuns 
you  are  redeemed  by  the  same  Saviour,  and 


214  Sermcn  9. 

heirs  of  the  same  inheritance,  let  each  there- 
fore aim  at  promoting  the  edification  and  com- 
fort of  all  with  whom  he  is  connected.  The 
apostle  also  mentions  it  as  the  peculiar  excel- 
lence of  charity  that  she  seeketh  not  her  oivUi 
is  not  satisfied  with  advancing  the  welfare  of 
an  individual,  but  extending  her  views  be* 
Yond  the  narrow  circle  of  self,  devises 
schemes  for  promoting  the  good  of  mankind 
in  general.  Such  is  the  disposition  which  he 
so  warmly  recommends  in  the  verse  chosen 
for  our  present  consideration.  *^  Exhort  one 
another  dc;ily." 

Our  last  discourse  was  designed  to  exhib- 
it the  duty  of  parents  to  their  children  ;  that 
they  should  endeavor  by  instruction,  and  ex- 
ample, and  the  prudent  exercise  of  discipline, 
to  bring  theni  up  in  the  nurture  and  admoni- 
tion of  the  Lord.  It  is  intended  at  present  to 
overlook  the  dibthiction  of  parent  and  child, 
of  superior  and  subordinate,  and  contemplate 
the  members  of  a  family  upon  a  level ;  to  con- 
sider  them  as  forming  a  little  society, each  in* 
dividual  of  which  is  bound  to  exhort  the  other 
and  *'  provoke  unto  love,  and  good  works." 

1  would  not  be  considered  as  confining  the 
duty  of  mutual  exhortation  to  those  who  stand 
connected  in  a  family  capacity  :  "  It  is  a  laboi** 
of  love"  which  we  ought  to  perform  as  neigh- 
bors, and  more  especially  as  members  of  the 
same  congregation.  In  our  occasional  inter- 
course through  the  week,  or  in  our  interviews 
on  the   sabbath  while  we  repair  to,  or  retire 


Sermon  9.  215 

from  the  ordinances  of  religion,  we  should  stir 
yp  the  gifts  of  each  other  by  conversation  on 
spiritual  subjects  ;  and  by  this  friendly,  f^imi- 
liar  discourse  much  may  be  done  for  our  own 
souls,  and  for  the  souls  of  each  other.  As  one 
living  ember  brought  into  contact  with  ano- 
ther causes  it  to  burn  more  intensely,  or  as  one 
star  reflects  light  upon  another  star,  and  thus 
the  lustre  of  both  is  encreased,  so  by  the 
means  of  spiritual  conversation  christian  im- 
parts light  and  heat  to  christian,  and  the  sa- 
cred flame  in  each  is  imperceptibly  encreased. 
We  hear  the  two  disciples  after  their  journey 
to  Emmaus,and  th^ir  intervievvrespecting  that 
redemption  which  was  expected  in  Israel,  re- 
marking to  each  other,  "  did  not  our  hearts 
burn  within  US;"  their  faith  which  was  for- 
merly feeble  received  additional  strength, 
and  cleaves  with  renewed  vigor  to  the  pro- 
mises ;  their  love  which  was  languid  before, 
now  kindled  into  celestial  ardour,  and  their 
hopes  which  had  been  buried  with  their  en- 
tombed Lord  now  brighten,  and  become  full 
of  im mortality.  Our  time  on  earth  is  too 
short  to  be  wholly  exhausted  by  the  concerns 
of  the  body,  and  the  present  world  ;  speech 
is  a  gift  too  precious  to  be  occupied  altogeth- 
er in  giving  or  receiving  information  respect- 
ing our  temporal  concerns.  When  we  meet 
accidentally  by  the  way,  or  whan  we  collect 
to  spend  the  social  hour  or  evening,  how 
might  our  knowledge  be  extended,  our  love 
to  each  other,  and  our  zeal  for  the  interests  of 


216  Sermon  9. 

our  common  Master  be  promoted  by  seizing 
some  favorable  incident  for  the  introduction 
of  serious  discourse  ?  Many   instructive  in^ 
stances  of  this  nature  are  recorded  in  the  his- 
tory of  our  Lord      In  his  interview  with  the 
woman  of  Samaria,  at  the  well  of  Jacob,  he 
directed    her  attention  from  the    common  to 
the  spiritual  water,  even  those  influences  of 
the  Holy  Ghost  which  he   imparts  to  his  fol- 
lowers ;  he   shews  her  the  perishable,  unsa- 
tisfying nature  of  the  former,  but  assures  her 
that  the  latter  will  refresh  and  satisfy  the  soul 
for  even     "  Whosoever  drinketh  of  this  wa- 
ter shall  thirst  again — But  the  water  that  I 
shall  give  him  shall  be  in  him  a  w^ell  of  living 
water,   springing  up  to  everlasting  life."— 
Again,  when    the  multitude   were  following 
him  ^*  for  the  loaves  and  the  fishes,'*  he  calls 
their  attention  to  the  living  bread  which  he 
had  provided,  which  he  freely  offers,  and  ex- 
horts them  to  *' labor  for  that  meat  which  en- 
dureth  to  everlasting  life." 

But  although  the  duty  of  mutual  exhorta- 
tion is  incumbent  on  all  indiscriminately  as 
opportunity  offers,  it  is  more  immediately  in- 
cumbent on  those  who  reside  in  the  same 
house  ;  they  are  nearly  related,  and  are  there- 
fore peculiarly  obligated  to  advance  the  spiri- 
tual profit  of  each  other  ;  they  dwell  together, 
and  therefore  this  duty  may  be  discharged 
with  more  ease  and  advantage. 

This  subject  may  be  considered  more  fully 
by  enquiring — 


Sermon  9.  217 

I.  In  what  manner  members  of  the  siime 
fiimily  should  exhort  one  another^  and 

II.  What  are  the  advantages  which  they 
may  derive  from  a  prudent,  affectionate  atten- 
tion to  this  duty. 

1.  They  may  exhort  one  another  by  con- 
versing occasionally  on  spiritual  subjects  — 
They  who  are  much  exercised  to  godliness 
will  never  want  materials  on  which  to  dis- 
course both  to  the  comfort  and  profit  of  each 
other.  The  condition  of  man  by  nature  ; 
those  miseries  to  which  without  repentance 
he  is  exposed  in  a  future  world  ;  the  method 
of  pardon  through  the  sacrifice  of  Jesus  the 
substitute  ;  the  necessity  of  regeneration  if 
we  expect  admission  into  the  kingdom  of 
God,  the  evidences  by  which  we  may  ascer- 
tain that  we  have  undergone  this  change,  the 
marks  of  a  flourishing  state  in  the  spiritual  life, 
the  sovereignty  of  Jehovah  in  passing  by  angels 
while  he  provided  a  Saviour  for  fallen  man, 
his  sovereignty  in  leaving  a  great  portion  of 
the  human  family  in  the  gloom  of  heathenism 
while  the  light  of  immortality  is  shining  upon 
others,  our  infinite  obligation  to  love  and  serve 
that  Jesus  who  redeemed  us  by  his  own  blood, 
and  has  opened  to  us  the  prospect  of  such  joys 
beyond  the  grave,  the  emptiness  of  all  world- 
ly prosperity  w-ithout  a  relation  to  God  as  our 
Father,  and  the  light  and  momentary  nature 
of  their  afflictions  who  are  interested  in  his 
love,  these  and  many  other  subjects  might  be 
enumerated  on  which  we  may  converse,  and 

T 


218  Sermon  9.. 

by  which  we  may  edify  each  other.  *'  Out 
of  the  abundance  of  the  heart"  the  lively  chris^ 
tian  will  generally  find  both  matter  and^op- 
portunity  for  discoursing  to  the  spiritual  edifi- 
cation of  others  around  him.  *'  They  that 
feared  the  Lord,"  among  the  devout  Jews, 
"  spake  often  one  to  another  ;  and  we  hear 
the  royal  prophet  extolling  the  mercies  of  Je- 
hovah, and  inviting  others  to  a  participation  of 
the  same  blessings.  *'  O  taste  and  see  that 
the  Lord  is  good  ;  blessed  is  the  man  that 
trusteth  in  him  :  O  fear  the  Lord,  ye  his 
saints,  for  there  is  no  want  to  them  that  fear 
him  :  Come,  ye  children,  hearken  unto  me  ; 
i  will  teach  you  the  fear  of  the  Lord."  How 
many  favorable  occasions  for  such  friendly  ad- 
monitions occur  when  families  are  collected 
around  the  evening  fire,  or  when  they  encir- 
tie  the  table  of  their  common  Father  to  re- 
ceive the  bounties  of  his  providence  ?  How 
many  precious  moments  might  then  be  re- 
deemed to  our  present  instruction,  and  our 
eternal  salvation  by  repeating  the  promises, 
or  portions  of  a  psalm,  or  hymn,  or  conversing 
of  that  bounty  which  streams  forth  day  after 
day,  and  year  after  year,  for  the  supply  of  our 
wants  P  And  while  the  members  of  a  family 
were  edifying  each  other  by  such  exercises, 
they  would  fiilfil  a  divine  injunction,  '*  these 
words  which  I  command  thee  this  day  shi»U 
be  in  thint  heart,  and  thou  shalt  teach  them 
diligently  unto  thy  children,  and  shalt  talk  of 
them  when  thou  sittest  in  thine  house,   and 


Sermon  9.  219 

when  thou  walkest    by  the  way,  wlien  thou 
liest  down,  and  when  thou  risest  up.'' 

2.  We  ought  to  exhort  one  another  by  u- 
niting  to  read  portions  ofthe  sacred  scriptures. 
I  do  not  allude  to  the  devotions  of  the  morn- 
ing and  evening  in  which  the  scriptures  arc 
statedly  read  in  the  family  :  other  opportuni- 
ties may  and  ought  to  be  embraced  when  the 
different  members  sit  down,  and  read  in  their 
turn  passages  of  the  living  oracles  and  practi- 
cal refiections  may  also  be  made  to  mutual  ad- 
vantage. This  is  a  divine  institution,  no  less 
than  secret  prayer,  or  the  sanctificationof  the 
sabbath,  and  if  those  who  are  connected  in  a 
family  capacity  feel  deeply  concerned  for  the 
spiritual  prosperity  of  each  other  this  ordi- 
nance will  not  be  omitted.  In  vain  do  any 
object  that  leisure  cannot  be  found  for  the 
multiplied  services  of  religion  :  By  redeeming 
the  many  precious  fragments  of  time  v/hich 
are  wasted  unnecessarily  in  slrep,  or  consum- 
ed in  conversation  by  which  the  characters  of 
others  are  reproached,  and  our  own  passions 
irritated,  opportunities  will  be  easily  found 
for  discharging  this  and  all  the  other  duties 
required  at  our  hand.  The  man  who  mana- 
ges his  money  uith  prudence  and  economy 
lias  usually  a  sulficienry  to  meet  any  contin- 
gency, and  he  who  is  frug;'  of  his  time,  who 
endeavors  to  perform  every  vrork  at  its  proper 
season,  will  generally  find  opportunity  for  at- 
tending to  every  ordinance  of  religion  whether 
secret  or  relative.     And  the  Apostle  particu- 


220  Sermon  0. 

larly  enjoins  *'  let  tlie  word  of  Christ  dwell 
in  you  richly  ;''  be  often  reading  it ;  be  often 
reflectinf^  upon  it,  and  unite  in  repeating  por- 
tions of  it  in  a  family  Ccipacity,  *'  teaching  and 
admonishing  one  another  in  psalms,  and 
hymns,  and  spiritual  songs,  singing  with 
grace  in  your  hearts  to  the  Lord."  It  is  both 
agreeable  and  profitable  to  mingle  the  exercise 
of  praise  with  that  of  reading  the  scriptures, 
endeavoring  to  stir  up  our  own  souls,  and  the 
souls  of  each  other  by  uniting  to  sing  a  por- 
tion of  a  psalm,  or  hymn.  The  apostle  gives 
the  same  direction  to  the  church  at  Ephesus. 
"  Speaking  to  yourselves  in  psalms,  and 
hymns,  and  spiritual  songs,  singing  and  ma- 
king melody  in  your  hearts  to  the  Lord.'* 
Praise  is  peculiarly  adapted  to  excite  a  devo- 
tional frame  :  to  soothe  the  spirits  when  a^ 
gitaied  by  the  troubles  of  life,  and  also  to  pu- 
rify and  elevate  the  affections,  gently  inflam- 
ing them  with  love  to  God,  and  to  each  other. 
3.  The  duty  recommended  in  the  text  may 
be  performed  by  praying  with,  and  for  each 
other.  The  woid  which  is  translated  exhort 
does  not  signify  merely  to  speak  to,  or  advise 
another  in  a  formal  manner  ;  it  sometimes  sig- 
nifies to  intercede  as  an  advocate  does  for  his 
client,  and  comprehends  the  various  means 
by  which  one  christian  may  be  instrumental 
in  strengthening  the  faith,  enlivening  the  hopes 
and  promoting  the  edification  of  another  chris- 
tian ;  and  certainly  social  prayer  is  a  mean 
happily  adapted  for  these  purposes.     It  is  the 


Sermo7i  9.  221 

promise  of  our   Divine  Redeemer,  "  where 
two  or  threeare  gathered  together  in  my  name, 
there  am  I   in  the  midst  of  them,"    and  the 
truth  of  this  promise  has  often  been  foLind  in 
the  sensible  experience  of  his  children.  \\  hile 
one  is  engaged  in  the    devout    confession  ot 
sin,    or  earnestly    imploring  the   exercise   ot 
mercy  the  sacred  flame  is  communicatea  ;   it 
pervades  from  bosom  to  bosom,  until  all  are 
set  on  fire  as  '^  with  a  live  coal  from  the  altar  ; 
the  heart  which  was  formerly  cold  now  kindles 
with  celestial  ardor,  and  the  affections  which 
were  once  carnal  and  earthly  now  center  upon 
God    as   their   only,     all-satisfying    portion. 
*'  While  the   disciples  prayed  the  place  was 
shaken  where  they  were  assembled  together, 
and  they  were  all  filled  with  the  Holy  Ghost ;" 
and  thus   while  one   christian   addresses    the 
throne  of  their  common  Father  in  the  name, 
and  presence  of  a  number  the  place   is  often 
consecrated  into   a   little    sanctuary  :   All  are 
constrained  to  acknowledge  with  the  disciples 
on   mount  Tabor,  "  it  is  good  to  be  here  ," 
or  with  the  sweet  singer  of  Israel,  *'  blessed 
is  the  man  whom  thou  choosest,  and  causcst 
to  approach  unto   thee.''     This  union  in   the 
exercise  of  prayer  whichis  profilable  for  chris- 
tians at  their  occasional  visits  is  peculiarly  a- 
miable  and  profitable  among  members  of  the 
same  family.     An  excellent  divine*  of  a  for- 
mer age,  in  addition  to  his  stated   devotions 
in  the  family,  fre-quently  prayed  with  his  wife 

*   1  hcllcv.  P.  Henry's  ///c',  j),  C6. 
T  2 


222  Sermon  9. 

alone,  and  recommended  this  practice  to  o- 
thers  by  remarking,  *'  this  ordinance  sancti- 
fies the  relation,  and  secures  a  blessing  upon 
it ;  makes  the  comforts  of  it  the  more  sweet 
and  the  cares  and  crosses  of  it  the  more 
easy,  and  is  an  excellent  mean  of  preserving, 
and  encreasing  love  in  the  relation."  This 
same  holy  man  directed  his  children  to  "spend 
one  hour  on  the  afternoon  of  Saturday  togeth- 
er in  prayer  and  other  devotional  services. ' 

Such  are  the  exercises  in  which  one  mem- 
ber of  a  family  may,  and  ought  to  exhort  a- 
nother.  The  apostle  enjoins  that  this  duty  be 
performed  dai/i/,  and  although  the  expression 
need  not  be  understood  in  a  literal  sense,  yet 
it  evidently  implies  that  we  ought  frequently 
to  be  employed  in  *'  provoking  each  other  to 
love  and  to  good  works."  Religion  is  not  to 
be  considered  as  a  *'  by-work,"  as  a  service 
to  which  we  may  attend  when  there  is  nothing 
else  to  be  done.  A  peculiar  blessing  is  pro- 
mised  to  those  who  watch  daily  at  the  gates 
of  wisdom,  and  the  righteous  in  former  ages 
are  represented  as  "  speaking  often  one  toa- 
nother."  We  ought  to  consider  the  time 
which  we  spend  in  serving  our  God,  and  pro- 
moting our  own  edification  and  that  of  others 
as  the  most  precious  moments  of  the  day  ; 
we  ought  to  consider  the  services  of  religion 
as  the  most  dignified  of  our  daily  exercises, 
and  the  most  delightful  of  our  daily  enjoy- 
ments. 

In  order  to  animate  us  to  a  becoming  zeal 


Sermon  9.  223 

in  exhorting  one  another,"  it  may  not  be  im- 
proper to  enquire. 

II.  What  are  the  advantages  which  may 
result  from  the  prudent  and  diligent  discharge 
of  this  duty. 

1.  Thereby  one  member  of  a  family  often 
becomes  instrumental  in  the  salvation  of  ano- 
ther, and  one  neighbor  in  the  salvation  of  a- 
nother  neighbor.  Many  instances  might  be 
mentioned  in  which  a  portion  of  scripture  de- 
voutly read,  or  an  admonition  seasonably  gi- 
yen  has  proved  eifectual  for  alarming  the 
conscience,  and  finally  saving  the  soul.  So- 
lomon therefore  remarks  that  *'  the  words  of 
the  wise  are  as  goads,  and  as  nails  fastened 
by  the  masters  of  assemblies:"  they  often 
have  the  effect  of  goads  for  rousing  the  slothful 
to  the  discharge  of  duty,  and  when  seasona- 
bly administered,  like  nails  are  deep  and  last- 
ing in  their  impression.  *'  All  the  Lord's 
people  may  thus  become  prophets,"  teaching 
the  ignorant,  alarming  the  thoughdess,  re- 
claiming the  backslider,  and  imparting  words 
of  consolation  to  the  dejected  in  spirit.  I 
have  read  of  a  private  christian  in  England 
who  was  distinguished  for  his  zeal  in  promot- 
ing the  conversion  of  sinners,  and  these  "  la- 
bors of  love  were  not  in  vain  in  the  Lord." 
His  children,  and  servants,  and  many  in  the 
neighborhood  where  he  resided  were  given 
to  him  as  *'  a  crown  of  rejoicing.''  Having 
heard  of  an  acquaintance  who  indulged  himself 
in  licentious  practices  he  wrote  to  him,  and 


224  Sermon  9. 

politely  invited  him  to  his  house  ;  he  called, 
and  they  read,  and  prayed,  and  conversed  to- 
gether, and  this  interview  was  considered 
as  the  mean  of  his  salvation.  This  and  ma- 
ny other  similar  facts  evince  the  importance 
of  obeying  the  injunction,  "in  the  morning 
sow  thy  seed,  and  in  the  evening  withhold 
not  thine  hand  ;  for  thou  knowest  not  whether 
L-hall  prosper,  either  this  or  that,  or  whether 
they  shall  both  be  alike  good."  It  is  in  the 
spiritual  as  in  the  natural  world,  a  whole  field 
mny  be  blasted,  while  a  single  grain  thrown 
into  the  earth  takes  root  and  ripens  into  fruit. 
2.  Bv  mutual  exhortation  one  mav  be  in- 
strumental  in  fortifying  another  against  temp- 
tation: The  christain  in  this  world  may  be 
compared  to  a  pilgrim  performing  a  journey, 
and  is  often  in  danger  of  wandering  from  the 
right  way,  or  being  disheartened  by  the  ma- 
ny obstacles  which  lie  in  his  course.  But  a- 
midst  these  discouraging  ciicumstances  he  is 
often  animated,  and  supported  by  the  coun- 
sels, and  example  of  his  fellow  christians,  ^y 
these  he  is  often  kept  from  wandering,  or 
brought  back  after  he  has  wandered  ;  by 
these  he  is  frequently  cheered  in  his  melan- 
choly moments,  he  is  encouraged  under  cir- 
cumstances the  most  trying,  and  is  enabled 
"  to  hold  on  his  way'*  widi  greater  resolution, 
and  firmness.  No  doubt  in  instances  innu- 
merable one  believer  has  been  indebted, under 
God,  to  the  warning  of  another  believer  ei- 
ther for  resisting  some  strong  temptation,  or 


Sermon  9.  ^2S 

being  brought  to  sincere  repentance  after  the 
fault  had  been  committed.     It  was  the  point- 
cd  admonition  of  Nathan  the  prophet  which 
brought  the  monarch  of  Israel  to  a  recollection 
o^  his  crime,  and  to  genuine,  lasting  humili- 
ation for  the  same.     By  a  reproof  seasonably 
administered  the  sons  of  Jacob   vvere  struck 
with  a  consciousness  of  their  iniquity  in  sel- 
ling Joseph  into  Egypt,  and  by  a  single,  im- 
pressive look  of  our  Lord,  Peter  was  made 
to  remember  the  guilt  of  publicly  denying  his 
Master,  and  to  ''  weep  bitterly"  for  the  of- 
fence.    These  are  some  of  the  important  ad- 
vantages   which  the    apostle  mentions  as  re- 
sulting from  faithful  admonitions  among  chris- 
tians, and  for  which  he   so  earnestly  recom- 
mends it.     ''  Exhort  one  another  daily — lest 
any  of  you  be  hardened  through    the  deceit- 
fulnessof  sin  :  lest  having  committed  a  flmlt 
he  remains   insensible  of  the  guilt  which  he 
has  incurred,  or  the  danger  to   which  he  is 
exposed  on  account  of  it  :   If  one  has  depart- 
ed from  the  holy  commandment,  and  renoun- 
ced his  profession   of  the  faith,  reprove,  re- 
buke, exiiort  until  you  have  happily  restored 
him  ;  strive   with  greater   earnestness  at  re- 
covering him  from  the  error  of  his  way  than 
one  traveller  would  exert  himself  to  snatch  a- 
nother  from  the  verge  of  a  precipice,  or   one 
soldier  to  redeem  another  from  the  hands  of 
an  infuriated,  powerful  enemy. 

3.  By  earnestness  in  exhorting  one  another 
we  may  prove  instrumental  in  exciting  each 


226  Sertnoyi  §. 

other  to  the  more  diligent  discharge  of  incum-i 
bent  duty.  We  are  all  naturally  indolent,  and 
prone  to  procrastinate  :  Measures  which  we 
will  readily  acknowledge  to  be  important  ;  in 
which  the  honor  of  our  Master,  the  interests 
of  religion,  and  our  own  future  rejoicing  are 
intimately  concerned,  tve  postpone  month  af- 
ter month  waiting  for  a  *'  more  convenient 
season."  It  is  scarcely  more  natural  for  the 
carnal,  unregenerate  man  to  put  off  the  great 
work  of  salvation,  asking  "  a  little  more  sleep, 
a  little  more  slumber,*'  than  for  even  the  chil- 
dren of  light  thro'  the  suggestions  of  the  flesh 
to  put  off  the  important  duties  of  their  calling. 
Hoxv  slothful  are  eVen  those  whom  we  consi- 
der the  most  active  in  business  ?  Although 
much  has  been  forgiven  us  by  that  God  whom 
we  had  offended,  and  great  things  have  been 
done  for  us  at  an  infinitely  great  expence,  yet 
how  languid  is  our  love,  and  how  reluctant 
are  we  to  spend  a  little  time,  or  strengh,  or 
worldly  substance  for  the  advancement  of  his 
glory  ?  Owing  to  this  innate,  almost  invinci- 
ble sloth  of  our  nature,  we  need  "  line  upon 
line,'*  argument  after  argument,  exciting  us 
to  the  performance  of  duty  :  We  require  not 
only  all  the  **  doctrines,  reproofs,  corrections, 
and  instructions  of  scripture,"  but  the  daily 
counsels  and  admonitions  of  each  other  ;  and 
b}'  such  exhortations  seasonably  and  affection- 
ately given  christian  may  have  great  influ- 
ence in  rendering  christian  more  diligent  in 
the  performance  of  '*  every  good  w^ork."     if 


Sermon  §.  227 

ofie  traveller  appears  indolent  another  can  ex- 
cite him  ;  if  he  becomes  disheartened  the  o- 
ther  can  encourage  him  ;  if  he  falls  his  asso- 
ciate can  raise  him  up,  or  if  he  becomes  fa- 
tigued  with  the  lengUi,  or  difficulties  of  the 
road  he  can  assist  in  supporting  and  carrying 
him  alor»g :  As  in  a  natural  so  in  the  spiritual 
journey,  **  two  are  better  than  one."  When 
one  believer  in  the  Lord  Jesus  is  tempted  to 
neglect,  or  postpone  a  duty,  another  can  ad- 
monish to  the  immediate  disch^u-ge  of  it ;  or 
if  one  becomes  discouraged  through  repeated 
and  "  sore  adversities*'  the  other  may  support 
by  exhibiting  the  consolations  of  the  gospel, 
and  by  directing  his  view  to  "  that  exceeding 
and  eternal  weight  of  glory  which  is  reserved 
in  the  heavenly  world  ;''  he  can  assure  him 
that  the  present  conflict  however  Jiert/  will 
soon  terminate  in  victory  and  triumph  ;  that 
sorrow  will  give  place  to  joy,  pain  to  pleasure, 
and  darkness  to  one  unclouded,  everlasting 
day  :  Thus  after  the  apostle  had  announced 
to  the  believing  Thessalonians  the  resurrec- 
tion of  the  body,  the  ascension  of  all  the  re- 
deemed to  ■*•  meet  their  Saviour  in  the  air, 
and  their  going  to  be  for  ever  with  the  Lord,' 
he  adds,  -wherefore  comfort  or  exhort  another 
-with  these  xvorc/s. 

4.  By  diligence  in  exhorting  one  another,  a 
foundation  may  be  laid  for  mutual  rejoicing 
for  ever.  Whether  those  who  are  intimately 
acquainted,  or  nearly  related  on  earth  will 
feel  towards  each  other  any  peculiar  ardour  of 


228  Sermon  9. 

alTection  in  heaven,  is  a  question  which  I  at- 
tem]-t  not  to  answer.  '*  It  doth  not  yet  ap- 
pear what  we  shall  be.''  We  know  not  to 
what  degree  the  redeemed  will  hereafter  re- 
collect the  incidents  of  their  own  lot  upon 
earth,  or  their  conversation  and  communion 
with  each  other.  Yet  without  doubt  those 
who  were  acquainted  in  the  church  militant 
will  recollect  this  acquaintance  when  they  meet 
in  the  church  triumphant,  and  it  is  highly  pro- 
bable that  the  recollection  of  those  instruc- 
tions which  they  mutually  imparted,  of  those 
sorrows  in  which  they  had  mutually  sympa- 
thised, of  that  support  which  they  had  mutually 
afforded  will  tend  to  endear  them  to  each  o- 
ther,  and  promote  their  mutual  exultation  for 
ever.  "  He  that  soweth,  and  he  that  reapeth 
shall  there  rejoice  together."  What  joy  in- 
discribable  must  transport  those,  upon  meet- 
ing in  their  Father's  kingdom,  who  had  fre- 
quently gone  in  company  to  the  sanctuary  on 
earth  ;  who  had  often  mingled  sweet  counsel, 
fortifying  each  other  in  the  hour  of  tempta- 
tion, or  comforting  one  another  in  the  season 
of  trial  and  despondency  ?  What  refined,  ele- 
vated pleasure  must  be  participated  by  Zacha- 
rias  and  Elizabeth  in  the  heavenly  Jerusalem, 
who  had  long  lived  together  *'  as  heirs  of  the 
grace  of  life,"  and  by  their  mutual  admoni- 
tions had  encouraged  each  other  to  **  walk  in 
all  the  commandments  and  ordinances  of  the 
Lord  blameless,"  or  by  Aquila  and  Priscilla, 
who  by  their  tender  expostulations  had  ani- 


Sermo?!  9.  229 

mated  each  other  to  maintain  "  the  church  in 
their  house,  and  to  remain  stedfast  and  un- 
moveable,  always  abounding  in  the  work  of 
the  Lord  V  What  must  be  the  mutual  exul- 
tation of  parents  or  pastors  when  they  meet, 
in  the  general  assembly,   children  or  hearers 
who   had  been  brought  first  to  grace  and  fi- 
irillv  to  <dory  by  means  of  their  exhortations 
and'example  ?   With  rapture   ineffable    each 
must  hail  the  other  as  "  their  glory  and  joy. 
This  doctrine  may  be  applied,         ^     ^ 
1.  Bv    inferring  that   there   is  an  intimate 
connection  between  man   and  man,  and  that 
each  is  obligated  to  aim  at  promoting  the  per- 
fection of  the   whole.     In   the   human  body 
there  are  various  members,   assigned  to  dif- 
ferent parts  of  it,  possessed  of  difterent  excel- 
lencies, and  designed  for  different  offices,  yet 
nearly  related,  and  required  to    subserve  the 
convenience   and  interests    of  one    another. 
"  The  eye  cannot  say  to  the  hand  I  have  no 
need  of  thee,  nor  again,  the  head  to  the  feet  I 
have  no  need  of  thee  :  and  whether  one  mem- 
ber suffer,  all  the  members  suffer  with  it,  or 
one  member  be  honored,  all  the  members  re- 
loice  with  it."     As  in  the  human  body,  so  in 
the  familv  and  the  congregation  the  different 
members'who  compose  it  may  possess  differ- 
ent  talents,  and  occupy  different  stations,  yet 
each  owes  particular  duties  to  the  other,  and 
is  bound  to  promote  their  edification.     The 
young  christian  has  not  attained  to  the  expe- 
rience of  the  aged,  or  to  their  influence  in  the 

V 


230  Sermon  9. 

church,  yet  he  probably  exceeds  them  in  ten- 
derness of  conscience,  in  vvarnith  of  affection, 
and  in  the  ardor  of  his  zeal,  and  thus  his  ex- 
ample  serves  as  an  admonition  to  them  :  The 
ap;ed,  on  the  other  hand,  by  an  acquaintance 
with  their  own  hearts,  by  a  careful  observa- 
tion of  men  and  things  acquire  a  greater  de- 
gree of  experience,  become  more  prudent, 
and  are  thus  qualined  for  restraining  and  re- 
gulating the  young.  Although  the  wife  may 
not  perhaps  ahvays  equal  her  husband  in 
strength,  or  comprehension  of  understanding, 
yet  she  usually  excels  him  in  ardor  of  spiri- 
tual affection,  in  brilliancy  of  imagination,  in 
fluency  of  utterance,  and  thus  possesses  a  hap- 
pier talent  for  the  instruction  of  their  mutual 
offspring  :  and  each  by  exercising  their  prop- 
er gift,  and  fulfilling  the  duties  of  their  own 
station,  will  promote  the  edification  of  the  o- 
ther.  Although  we  do  not  find  Hannah  min- 
istering at  the  altar  of  incense,  or  offering  sa- 
crifice to  tiie  Lord,  yet  we  see  her  in  a  more 
private  capacity  teaching  Sam.uel  her  son,  and 
dedicating  him  *'  to  Jehovah  as  long  as  he  li- 
ved :''  We  do  not  behold  Aima  the  prophetess 
appearing  in  the  assembly  as  a  public  teacher, 
yet  she  is  uniform  in  her  attendance  upon  the 
institutions  of  the  temple,  *'  serving  God  with 
fastings  and  prayers  night  and  day,"  and  as 
opportunity  offers  speaks  of  the  incarnate  Sa- 
viour *^  to  all  them  that  look  for  redemption 
in  Jerusalem.''  Priscilla  is  not  charged  with 
arrogating  the  character  of  a  public  preacher 


Sermon  0.  231 

111  the  church,  yet  after  the  con.qrcgation  is 
dismissed,  she  invites  the  youthful  ApoUos  to 
her  own  house,  and  by  her  edifying  conversa- 
tion •'  instructs  him  in  the  way  of  God  more 
perfectly."  Christians  therefore,  ahhough  dif- 
fering in  age,  possessing  a  diversity  of  gifts, 
and  placed  in  different  stations,  have  the  op- 
portunity of  exhorting^  and  advancing  the  spi- 
ritual interests  of  each  other. 

2.  Have  we  not  reason  to  lament  that  a  du- 
ty so  important  in  itself,  one  which  might  be 
performed  with  so  much  ease,  and  to  so  much 
advantage  is  so  generally  neglected  ?  Those 
who  are  related  in  a  family  capacity  feel  inte- 
rested in  the  temporal  prosperity  of  each  o- 
ther  :  Each  is  generally  zealous  to  vindicate 
the  character  of  the  other,  and  by  performing 
the  duty  proper  to  their  station  to  promote 
the  good  of  the  whole.  But  do  they  feel  the 
responsibility  which  is  upon  them  in  a  spirit* 
tual  sense,  and  do  they  aim  by  example,  by 
reproof,  and  by  exhortation  to  advance  the 
immortal  interests  of  each  other  ?  Amidst  all 
the  hows  which  are  daily  spent  by  those  who 
are  related  as  husband  and  wife  in  co-operat- 
ing to  provide  for  their  common  wants  are 
there  even  moments  occupied  in  repeating  the 
word  of  life,  in  reminding  each  other  of 
duties  which  are  apparently  neglected,  or  in 
comparing  their  fears,  their  joys,  and  hopes  as 
heirs  of  the  same  "incorruptible  inheritance?" 
Amidst  the  various  admonitions  which  parents 
are  occasionally  giving  their  children  respect- 


232  Sermon  9. 

ing  the  importance  of  industry,  of  eccnom}'^ 
r.nd  of  a  virtuous  deportment  are  they  also 
entreating  them  to  '*  remember  their  Creator 
in  the  days  of  their  youth,  to  give  all  diligence 
to  make  their  calling  and  election  sure,  and 
to  set  their  afFections  on  things  above.  '  The 
brother  and  sister  of  the  same  family  are  ra:' 
quently  conversing  about  the  common  occur- 
rences of  life,  about  the  fashions  which  pre- 
vail, or  the  amusements  in  which  they  may 
agreeably  spend  an  hour  or  evening,  but 
what  time  do  they  employ  in  praying  together, 
in  reading  passages  of  the  living  oiacles,  or 
in  directing  the  attention  of  each  other  to  the 
great  realities  of  the  future  state  ?  Was  the 
admonition  of  the  apostle  carefully  regarded 
how  much  might  be  done  for  God,  for  our 
own  souls,  for  the  souls  of  each  other  in  hours 
which  are  now  lost  for  both  worlds  ?  Where- 
fore, brethren  dearly  beloved,  "  gird  up  the 
loins  of  your  minds,  and  be  no  longer  sloth- 
ful in  business,  but  fervent  in  spirit,  serving 
the  Lord,'*  and  promoting  the  spiritual  pro- 
fiX.  of  each  other.  Your  prayers  will  ^'  come 
lip  before  him  as  incense,']  and  your  devout, 
mutual  exhortations  will  be  grateful  "  as  the 
evening  sacrifice."  ''  While  they  that  feared 
tlie  Lord  spake  often  one  to  another,  the  Lord 
hearkened  and  heard  ;"  he  listens  with  ap- 
probation to  their  pious  discourse,  and  reso- 
lutions ;  *'  he  gives  his  angels  charge  over 
them  ;  he  compasses  them  about  with  his  fa- 
vor as  with  a  shield,"  and  marks  them  infal- 


Sermon  9.  233 

libly  for  glory  in  the  latter  end.  **  They 
shall  be  mine,  saith  the  Lord  of  hosts,  in  that 
clay  that  I  make  up  my  jewels, and  I  will  spare 
them  as  a  man  spareth  his  own  son  that  serv- 
ethhim.!' 

This  discourse  which  was  particularly  in- 
tended for  the  use  of  private  families  I  shall 
now  conclude  by  aHectionately  proposing  the 
following  plan  for  promoting  their  mutual  edi- 
fication. Beside  the  seasons  statedly  observ- 
ed in  devotion  morning  and  evening  set  apart 
one  hour  in  an  evening  of  each  week  for  the 
exercises  of  religion.  Let  all  the  members 
of  the  family  cease  from  their  ordinary  em- 
ployments and  unite  in  reading  portions  of  the 
scriptures,  in  repeating  such  promises  as  they 
have  learned,  in  singing  a  part  of  a  psalm  or 
hymn,  and  let  some  member  occasionally  ad- 
dress the  mercy-seat  in  a  short  prayer.  All 
these  are  explicit  ordinances  of  Cod,  and  by 
interminghng  them  they  will  appear  less  tedi- 
ous to  the  younger  branches  of  the  family. 
Were  we  thus  living  together  *'  as  heirs  of 
the  grace  of  life,*'  exhorting  and  encouraging 
one  another  as  those  wlio  have  embraced  the 
same  promises  as  their  charter  for  all  necessa- 
ry blessings,  the  same  righteousness  as  their 
justifying  robe,  and  the  same  heaven  as  their 
eternal  home,  how  smoothly  m.ight  we  pass 
along  the  journey  of  life  ?  Every  cross  which 
we  are  called  to  take  up  v/ould  become  light, 
and  easily  borne,  and  every  comfort  be  in- 
conceivably enhanced  to  our  enjoyment ;  every 
u  2 


234  Sermon  9. 

house  would  become  a  little  sanctuary,  every 
heart  a  residence  for  the  Holy  Ghost,  every 
tongue  like  a  well-tuned  organ  to  shew  forth 
his  praises,  and  heaven  by  such  a  family 
would  be  commenced  on  earth.  Will  any 
object,  *'  behold  !  what  a  weariness"  it  must 
prove  to  perform  this  variety  of  religious  ser- 
vices, or  are  you  afraid  that  they  might  inter- 
fere with  your  secular  concerns  ?  How  many 
hours  in  the  week  do  you  spend  in  eating,  and 
drinking,  and  sleeping  as  means  of  promoting 
the  health  and  comfort  of  the  body,  and  can 
you  not  reserve  a  small  fragment  for  promot- 
ing the  salvation  of  the  soul  ?  How  many 
hours  in  the  week  do  you  spend  laboring  ei- 
ther in  the  house  or  field  *'  for  the  meat  that 
pcrisheth,"  and  will  you  hesitate  about  devo- 
ting a  single  hour  in  "  laboring  for  that  meat 
which  endureth  to  everlasting  life,"  in  fulfil- 
ling the  pleasure  of  your  Creator,  and  in  secu- 
ring his  blessing  upon  your  families :  1  said 
in  securing  the  divine  blessing  upon  your  fami- 
lies, because  I  believe  that  we  lose  even  in 
temporals  by  not  giving  a  larger  dividend  of 
our  time  to  the  Living  God.  "  The  curse  of 
the  Lord  is  in  the  house  of  the  wicked,  but 
he  blesseth  the  habitation  of  the  just.  If  ye 
walk  in  my  statutes,  and  keep  my  commiand- 
ments  -,  then  will  I  give  you  rain  in  due  sea- 
son and  the  land  shall  yield  her  encrease,  and 
ye  sha'l  eat  bread  to  the  full,  and  1  will  be 
your  God."  But  suppose  that  the  appropri- 
ation of  an  hour  to  such  services,  once   or 


Sermon  9.  235 

twice  in  the  week,  should  interrupt  in  the 
prosecution  of  )^our  worldly  business,  and 
tend  to  your  temporal  loss,  even  in  that  loss 
your  gain  would  be  unspeakable.  The  bles- 
sing of  Jehovahvvould  rest  on  what  you  did  en. 
joy,  and  be  assured  that  whether  you  possess 
less  or  more  it  is  his  blessing  which  maketh 
rich,  ''  A  little^''''  as  a  very  eloquent  and  ex- 
cellent author  remarks,  "  a  little  with  the  bles- 
sing of  God  upon  it  is  better  than  a  great  deal 
with  the  encumbrance  of  the  curse  :  His  bles- 
sing can  multiply  a  mite  into  a  talent,  but  his 
curse  will  shrink  a  talent  into  a  mite."  And 
another  asserts  from  his  own  experience, 
'*  when  I  was  rich  I  enjoyed  God  in  all,  and 
now  when  reduced  to  poverty  I  enjoy  all  in 
God." 

Again,  when  you  are  visited  by  your  chris- 
tian acquaintances  can  it  be  pronounced  either 
unsocial,  or  ungenteel  to  occupy  some  part  of 
the  time  in  religious  discourse  or  in  reading 
a  few  verses  of  '*  the  living  word, '  or  in  pour- 
ing out  your  hearts  before  your  heavenly  Father 
in  earnest  supplication.  A  venerable  Prelate* 
in  the  church  of  England,  when  called  upon 
by  his  spiritual  friends,  particularly  his  bre- 
thren in  the  ministry,  would  usually  propose 
before  they  parted,  **  come,  let  us  have  a  word 
for  our  Master,"  and  then  would  unite  with 
them  in  a  short  prayer,  devoutly  asking  the 
divine  blessing  on  each  other,  and  on  the 
church  at  large.     It  is  related  of  the  excellent 

*  Bishop  BeVE RIDGE. 


236  Senn&n  9. 

Mr.  Hcrvey,  that  previous  to  bis  death  he 
ceased  to  visit  particular  families  where  he 
had  been  formerly  treated  with  great  respect, 
and  being  asked  the  reason  of  this  change  in 
his  conduct,  he  replied,  "I  hear  much  worldly 
and  frothy  chat  there,  but  not  a  word  of  Christ:: 
and  I  am  determined  not  to  visit  those  compa- 
nies where  there  is  not  room  for  my  Master  as 
well  as  myself"  He  then  added,  "speech  is 
the  great  prerogative  of  our  rational  nature^ 
and  is  it  not  a  pity  that  this  superior  faculty 
should  be  debased  to  unprofitable  purposes  ? 
Suppose  aii  our  stately  vessels  U'hich  pass  and 
repass  the  ocean  were  to  carry  out  nothing 
but  tinsel,  and  import  nothing  but  fancied  toys, 
would  such  a  trade  be  profitable  in  its  conse- 
quences ?  But  speech  is  the  instrument  of 
much  nobler  commerce,  intended  to  transmit 
and  diffuse  the  treasures  of  the  mind,  and 
shall  this  vehicle  of  intellectual  wealth  be 
*  <  freighted  only  with  pleasing  fopperies  ?" 
"^  Wherefore,  brethren,  by  mutual  exhorta- 
tion, by  frequent  and  fervent  prayer,  by 
searching  with  becoming  diligence  the  living 
oracles,  "  adJ  to  your  faith  virtue,"  and  eve- 
ry other  grace  :  Let  each  manifest  a  holy  zeal 
in  promoting  tlie  spiritual  edification  of  others, 
and  thus  your  lives  will  be  useful,  and  your 
death  triumphant.  ''  For  so  an  entrance  shall 
be  ministered  unto  you  abundantly  into  the 
everlasting  kingdom  of  our  Lord  and  Saviour 
Jesus  Christ."     Amen. 


THE 

IMPORTANCE    OF  PUBLIC    ORDI- 
NANCES, 

IN     A     FAMILIAR     AND   AFFECTIONATE    ADDRESS, 
TO    TH05K     WHO     NEGLECT    THEM, 

I  HAVE  frequently  reflected  with 
heartfelt  emotions  of  sorrow,  on  the  pitiable 
condition  of  the  heathen.  They  are  represent- 
ed in  the  sacred  scriptures,  as  *'  having  no 
hope  and  being  without  God  in  the  world ;" 
7\^  perishing  through  want  o^ vision^  being  des- 
titute of  the  light  of  the  gospel.  While  I  a- 
dore  the  sovereignty  of  Jehovah  in  permitting 
a  part  of  the  angels  irrecoverably  to  fall,  and 
his  justice  in  reserving  them  in  everlasting 
chains  unto  final  judgment,  I  cannot  help 
sympathising  in  their  torment  ;  but  your  si- 
tuation, living  within  the  reach  of  ordinances, 
and  habitually  neglecting  them,  is  still  more 
awful  and  pitiable.  It  will  greatly  lessen  the 
future  misery  of  the  heathen,  that  the  Saviour 
was  never  offered  them  ;  and  the  torment  of 
fallen  angels  that  no  Saviour  was  provided  for 
them  ;  but  how  inconceivably  must  it  aggra- 
vate your  doom  that  salvation  was  provided, 
that  it  was  freely  offjred,  but  wilfully  neg- 
lected. This  vv'ill  form  the  bitterest  ingredi- 
ent in  the  cup  of  your  damnation. — The  sua 
of  righteousness  has  risen  upon  your  abodes 
but  you  close  your  eyes  against  his  celestial, 
cheering  rays  ;  the  river  of  salvation  flows 


238  Addressy   ^c. 

genial  through  your  borders,  but  you  refuse 
to  approach,  and  drink,  and  live  forever  ;  the 
heavenly  manna  descends  in  showers  around 
your  habitation,  yet  you  fold  your  arms  in 
sloth,  and  wilfully  perish  with  hunger. 

These  considerations  have  often  led  me  to 
reflect  with  myself  what  method  I  should  em- 
brace for  alarming  your  security,  and,  if  pos- 
sible, become  the  instrument  of  delivering 
you  ''  from  the  wrath  to  come."  This  ob- 
ject, however  important,  could  not  be  overta- 
ken from  the  pulpit,  as  your  attendance  there 
is  refused.  I  have  therefore  concluded,  in 
this  familiar  and  affectionate  manner,  to  ad- 
dress you  from  the  press.  This  letter,  in  my 
bodily  absence,  or  when  my  lips  are  closed  in 
everlasting  silence,  may  serve  as  a  monitor, 
and  through  the  blessing  of  the  gracious  Spi- 
rit may  become  the  happy  mean  of  converting 
you  from  the  error  and  danger  of  your  Avays. 

I  cannot  proceed  farther  without  calling  to 
your  attention  that  awful  query  of  the  Holy 
Ghost—'*  How  shall  ye  escape,  if  ye  neglect 
so  great  salvati<'ni  ?"'  This  solemn  challenge, 
or  rather  denunciation,  against  gospel  despi- 
sers,  fully  excuses  me  in  intruding  upon  you 
the  present  address  :  it  will  form  an  ample  a- 
pology  for  any  warmth  and  earnestness  with 
which  the  duty  of  attending  ordinances  may 
be  urged,  and  recommends  all  that  may  be 
said  on  this  subject  to  your  serious  considera- 
tion. But  should  you,  notwithstanding,  think 
proper  to  pronounce  this  freedom  an  impertl' 


Address,    h^c,  239 

nent  intrusion,  I  will  cheerfully  bear  the 
charge,  when  the  honor  of  my  Master  and 
your  most  precious  interests  for  eternity,  are 
so  deeply  involved. 

Permit  me  to  intrcat  you  to  the  duty  of  at- 
tending the  sanctuary  by  the  authority  of  God, 
who  requires  it ;  by  gratitude  to  the  great 
Redeemer,  in  whose  name  pardon  and  glory 
are  there  proclaimed  ;  by  a  regard  to  your 
immortal  souls,  the  salvation  of  which  these 
ordinances  are  appointed  to  promote  ;  by  a 
concern  for  the  welfare  of  your  children,  and 
others  who  may  probably  be  influenced  by 
your  example. 

1.  I  w^ould  urge  your  attendance  upon  pub- 
lic ordinances  by  the  authority  of  God,  in 
whose  name  they  are  dispensed.  The  preach- 
ing of  the  gospel  is  no  contrivance  of  mortals, 
but  appointed  by  Him  v/ho  is  the  supreme 
Lord  of  our  time  and  talents  ;  who  possesses 
an  undeniable  right  to  establish  any  ordinance 
which  his  sovereignty  may  dictate,  or  his  glo- 
ry require.  He  gave  apostles,  and  prophets, 
and  evangelists,  and  pastors,  and  teachers  for 
the  work  of  the  ministry,  and  has  positively 
commanded  them,  **  cry  aloud,  spare  not,  lift 
lip  your  voice  like  a  trumpet  ;  preach  the 
word,  be  instant  in  season,  and  out  of  season, 
reprove,  rebuke,  exhort,  wath  all  long-suffer- 
ing and  doctrine."'  Ministers  are  merely  am- 
bassadors for  Christ ;  they  are  only  ste^vards 
of  his  mysteries,  and  therefore  in  neglecting 
their  ministry,   you   pour  contempt  on  that 


240  Address,  ^e, 

high  authority  by  which  they  are  appointed. 
But  your  inattention  to  ordinances  not  only 
betrays  contempt  to  the  authority  of  God.  but 
also  a  shameful  despite  of  his  grace.  The 
ministry  of  the  gospel  is  a  most  illustrious  dis- 
play of  the  divine  condescension  and  good- 
ness. There  Jehovah  reveals  himself  *'  as 
the  Lord,  the  Lord  God,  merciful,  gracious, 
long-suffering  and  abundant  in  goodness  and 
truth  "  There,  by  his  servants,  he  stands  and 
announces  the  general  jubilee  ofreconciliation, 
thiough  the  obedience  and  blood  of  his  Co- 
Equal  Son:  Seated  on  this  throne  of  mercy, 
he  proclaims  pardon  to  the  guilty,  holiness  to 
the  polluted,  adoption  to  the  alien,  consolation 
to  the  mourner,  redemption  to  the  spiritual 
captive,  and  an  inheritance  of  glory  to  the 
children  of  wrath  and  destruction.  He  there 
affectionately  expostulates — "  Come  now,  and 
let  us  reason  together  :  As  I  live  I  have  no 
pleasure  in  the  death  of  the  wicked,  but  ra- 
ther that  they  would  turn  from  their  ways  and 
live.  '  ^'  The  ministry  ofreconciliation  is  gi- 
ven to  us ' — a  ministry,  which  is  the  wonder 
of  angels,  and  fills  all  heaven  with  acclamations 
of  praise  to  the  riches  of  divine  grace,  **  that 
God  was  in  Christ,  reconciling  the  world  unto 
himself,  not  imputing  unto  them  their  tres- 
passes." Therefore,  a  neglect  of  this  institu- 
tion is  equally  a  contempt  to  the  authority 
and  grace  of  Jehovah  ;  it  is  virtually  saying, 
that  you  neither  fear  his  displeasure,  nor  va^ 
lue  his  favor. 


?oV.  241 


Address,   bV 

2  L^t  me  intreat  voii  to  tlie  performance  of 
this'duty  bv  gratitude  to  the  loving  Saviour,^ 
who  procured  our  salvation  at  tne  expeacc  oi 
his  own  blood,  and  in  whose  name  pardon  and 
irlory  are  freely  offered. 

Do  vou  not  necessarily  feel  some  sense  of 
oblio-ation  to  the  man  whose  conduct  towards 
voulias  been  marked  with  singular  generosi- 
tv  ?  Had  another  rescued  you  from   certain 
ruin  at  the  hazard  of  his  own  life    would  you 
not  feel  obligated  to  serve  him  ?  had  this  in- 
terpc.'tion  in  your  behalf  been   unexpected, 
undeserved— h^^  it  taken  place  after  ten  thou- 
sand insults  given  him,  would  it  not  heighten 
your  obligation  ?  All  these  circumstances  m 
their  highest  possible  degree  meet  m  the  kind- 
ness of  the  Lord  Jesus,  and  unite  their  claim 
constraining  to  obey  his  commandments      He 
interposed  in   our  behalf,   not   at  the   hazard 
bardu,  but  at  the  certain  sacrince  of  his  hie  ; 
he  died  not  for  friends,  but  for  foes,  for  apos- 
tates from  his  familv  and  rebels  to  his  crown, 
because  Jesus,   being  Jehovah,  was  the  per- 
son  to  whom  we   had   forfeited  our  lives.— 
*'  He  hath  commended  his  love  towards  us' 
beyond  all  expression,  and  to  the  endless  aston- 
ishment of  angels,  *'  in  that  while  we  were  yet 
sinners,  Christ  died  for  us."  ^  ^ 

Now,  beloved  brethren,  is  it  not  ingratitude 
the  m.ost  criminal,  habitually  to  neglect  these 
ordinances,  where  th<^  riches  of  grace  are  pro- 
claimed  ?  Ministers  are  simply  ambassadors 
for  Christ ;   their  whole  employment  is  to  cf- 


242  Address,    £sV. 


fer  to  perishing  sinners  a  free  salvation  tiirough 
his  name  :  1  hey  are  appointed  "  to  preach 
r.ot  themselves  but  Christ  Jesus  tlie  Lord  ;' 
in  the  f^lories  of  his  Person,  as  "  God  niani- 
iested  in  the  fiesh  ;'  in  the  exeellencies  of  hi:i 
cniees  ;  in  his  endecirinr'-ielations  as  our  /itad, 
our  husband,  our  shepherd^  owv  father  ;  in  the 
]/.erfection  of  his  righteousness,  and  in  the  ful- 
ness and  freedom  of  his  salvation. 

With  his  garments  rolled  in  tlie  blood  of 
Lis  cross,  the  divinely  compassionate  Saviour 
^v^1lks  through  the  galleries  of  th.c  sane  -  ary  : 
Behold  me  !  Behold  me !  he  allectionately  fen- 
treats,  prescntin£^  himself  to  the  vieiv  of  every 
worshipper  :  Behold  m,e,  wounded  for  your 
transgressions  ;  bearing  the  curse,  that  you 
might  be  redeemed  from  it  ;  degraded  to  the 
condition  ol  a  servant,  that  you  might  be  ex- 
alted to  the  liberty  of  sons  ;  a  man  of  sorrows, 
thnt  vo.i  mi.^ht  be  crowned  with  unutterable 
joy  ;  a  child  of  wrath  that  you  might  obtain 
the  adoption  and  inheritance  of  sons.  Lo  ! 
what  a  succession  of  wonders  rushes  iipon  our 
•view  in  the  sanctuary  of  divine  grace  :  We 
are  led  to  Bethlehem,  and  behold  the  Saviour 
in  the  meanness  of  his  birth;  the  everlasting- 
Father  becoming  a  child  of  yesterday  ;  tiie 
mighty  Ged  a  feeble^  helpless  babe;  crea- 
tion's Lord  putting  on  the  form  of  a  servant ; 
the  hfir  of  all  things  having  only  a  manger 
for  his  bed  :  We  trace  him  through  life,  and 
behold  him  uniformly  devoted  to  offices  of 
l;indncs3  and  charity  towards    man  ;  healing 


Address,    £^V.  243 

iiil  manner  of  disease,  feeding  the  hungry, 
cloathiiig  the  naked,  drying  up  the  tears  oi 
the  mourner,  causing  the  blind  to  see,  the 
deaf  to  hear,  the  lame  to  waLk  :  We  are  cal- 
led to  follow  him  to  Geihseinane  and  Calvary, 
and  witness  theexquisitenesi  of  his  sufferings; 
there  we  may  see  all  the  lightnings  of  divine 
wrath  concentrating  upon  him  and  drinking 
up  his  spirits  ;  drops  of  blood  rushingthrough 
every  pore  of  his  body  ;  and  we  see  him  be- 
neath  the  insupportable pressureofhisFather's 
v/rath  at  last  bowing  in  agony  his  guiltless 
head. 

For  whom  were  these  sufferings  undergone? 
For  himself?  No;  *'  he  was  holy,  harmless, 
undefiled  and  separated  from  sinners."  For 
angels  ?  No  ;  "  he  took  not  on  him  the  na- 
ture of  angels,'*  but  for  peri-hing  sinners  of 
the  human  family.  For  what  end  did  he  thus 
suffer  ?  Was  it  to  ransom  from  teniporal  ruin, 
or  to  secure  some  temporal  reward  ?  No  ;  but 
to  redeem  from  the  wrath  of  Almighty  God, 
and  to  procure  for  us  "  fulness  of  joy,  a  king- 
dom that  shall  not  be  movtd,  and  crowns  of 
glory  that  shall  never  fade  away."  And  yet 
can  you  live  from  week  to  week,  or  from 
rnoiUii  to  month,  without  expressing  your 
ihankiYilness,  by  attending  to  his  salvation 
proclaimed  ?  Oh  I  shameful  ingratitude  I  The 
angels  had  no  immediate  concern  in  this  re- 
demption, yet  a  multitude  of  their  host  has- 
tei.ed  to  Betlilehem,  and  hailed  his  appear- 
ance ia  our  world  ;   they  followed  him  to  the 


244  Address,    ^^V. 

v.ilderness,  and  minibtcred  unto  him  dining 
his  temptation  by  Satan  ;— they  strengthened 
him  in  his  i~gony  in  the  garden,  ar.d  jet  shall 
no  tribute  of  gratiiude  be  oifered  by  you  P 
Early  in  the  morning  of  the  Sabbath  did  An^ 
gels  descend  to  see  him  rising  from  the  dead, 
and  shall  man, for  whose  justification  he  arose, 
spend  that  sacred  day  in  indolence  or  carnal 
amusement  ? 

3.  Let  me  intreat  you  by  the  most  precious 
interests  of  your  immortal  souls,  ^vhich  this 
ordinance  is  intended  to  promote. 

Self-preservation  is  a  powerful  and  univer^ 
sal  law  of  human  nature  ;  it  was  originally  im- 
planted in  the  bosom  of  man  for  importantpur- 
poses,  and  impels  him  cautiously  to  avoid  e- 
very  danger,  and  industriously  to  improve  e- 
very  mean  of  defence.  We  all  reprobate  as 
deluded  the  youth  who  wastes  his  period  of 
vigor  and  health,  v^ithout  laying  up  any  pro- 
vision for  afRiction  or  old  age ;  we  both  pity 
and  despise  the  man  who  indolently  spends 
the  season  of  harvest  without  an  anxious  thot 
about  an  approaching  winter  :  We  regard  the 
person  as  lost  to  common  sense,  who,  perish- 
ing  with  hunger,  refuses  relief  when  seasona- 
bly  offered  him  :  But  with  infinitely  greater 
folly  is  he  chargeable,  who  either  neglects  or 
misimproves  this  mean  of  salvation.  The 
preaching  of  the  gospel  is  our  spiritual  har- 
vest ;  there  fruit  is  gathered  and  laid  up  for 
life  eternal.  The  preaching  of  the  gospel  is 
our  spiritual  market,    there  the     boundless 


Acldressy    csV.  245 

stores  of  the  covenant,  that  bread  which  came 
down  from  heaven,  and  gives  Hfeto  the  world  ; 
the  wineof  everlastingconsohuion  ;  and  robes 
of  righteousness  which  never  f\ide  av/ay  aro 
dispensed  to  al)  that  will  receive  them  ;  are 
^w-^n  without  money  and  widiout  price. 
The  loving  Saviour  stands  in  the  sanctuary, 
and  by  his  servants  affectionalely  invites,  "  if 
any  man  thirst  let  him  come  to  me  and  drink." 

Now,  is  it  consistent  with  the  common  law 
of  self-preservation,  with  the  duty  which  you 
owe  to  your  better  part, your  immortal  souls,  to 
contemn  an  ordinance  so  important  ?  Is  it  ra- 
tional, is  it  prudent,  anxiously  ^'  to  labour 
for  the  meat  that  perisheth,"  and  neglect  that 
which  '*  endureth  to  everlasting  life,  which 
the  Son  of  Man  shall  give  ?  The  stork  in  the 
heavens  knows  her  appointed  time,  and  the 
little  ant  prGvideth  h.r  meat  in  the  summer  ; 
she  gatkercth  lier  food  in  harvest,  and  shall 
man,  a  rational  being — man,  whom  his  Crea- 
tor has  taught  more  than  the  beasts  of  the  field 
and  made  wiser  than  the  fowls  of  the  heaven, 
suffer  his  *'  harvest  to  pass,  his  summer  to 
end,"  v/ithout  making  any  provision  for  a 
long,  a  long,  a  long  eternity  P  What  would  a 
fallen  angel,  what  would  the  rich  man  in  hell 
give  for  a  single  offer  of  redemption  through 
the  blood  of  the  cross.  A  thousand  V;'orld:5, 
were  they  at  their  disposal,  would  cheerfully 
be  tendered  in  cxchan.^e. 

Las'ly,   1    would  entreat  you   to    the    Ci'iz- 
charge  of  this  duty  by  a  concern   for  thocc 
w  2 


246  Address,    Cs-'c. 

children,  whom  the  Lord  has  given  you,  and 
•whose  souls  are  committed  to  your  charge. 

An  affection  for  their  offspring,  and  an  anx- 
iety for  their  welfare  is  felt,  and  manifested  by 
all  nations  of  nien,  and  in  every  stage  of  soci- 
ety.— Parents  cheerfully  resign  a  part  of  their 
own  ease  to  promote  the  ease  of  their  offspring  : 
They  readily  forego  some  coniforts  of  life  in 
order  to  advance  the  comfort  of  their  children; 
they  rise  early,  invent  different  schemes,  en- 
dure a  thousand  difficulties  to  render  their 
outward  condition  easy  and  respectable  ;  but 
this  parental  affection  is  not  half  endulgcd,  if 
their  nobler  interests,  their  spiritual  and  ever- 
lasting concerns  are  neglected.  Are  they  ma- 
terially profited — have  you  rendered  them  any 
essential  advantage,  should  your  industry  se- 
cure for  them  even  the  world,  while  they  have 
no  scriptural  prospect  of  happiness  beyond 
the  grave  ?  And  remember  that  of  all  divine 
institutions,  the  gospel  dispensed  in  purity  and 
simplicity,  has  most  generally  been  made  ef- 
fectual for  the  salvation  of  souls.  This  is  the 
rod  of  Jehovah's  strength,  with  which  sinners 
in  every  age  have  been  subdued  lo  the  obedi- 
ence of  faith.  He  has  left  it  on  record,  both 
for  our  admonition  and  encouragement,  that 
he  "  delights  in  the  gates  of  Zion,  more  than 
in  all  the  dwellings  of  Jacob  ;  '  that  there  he 
**  will  command  the  blessing,  even  life  for- 
evermore."  Have  you  any  rational  hope  that 
inferior  means  will  be  blessed  to  them,  if  the 
great  duty  of  reyercncing  the    sanctuary  be 


Address i   ^c.  247 

neglected?  **Ho\v  shall  they  believe  in  him 
of  whom  they  have  not  heard,  and  how  shall 
ihey  hear  without  a  preacher  ?"  Being  brought 
up  in  the  habits  of  carelessness,  your  children 
will  in  all  probabilhy  remain  so,  until,  by  the 
terrors  of  unavoidable  damnation,  they  are 
startled  from  their  slumbers.  This  should 
serve  as  a' thousand  arguments,  rousing  you 
to  attend  the  means  of  instruction  and  salva- 
tion. Would  not  the  thought  be  as  worm- 
wood and  gall  to  your  spirits,  that  such  a  child 
which  plays  innocently  around  you,  which 
frequently  relieves  your  tedious  hours  with 
its  tender  conversation,  should  in  a  few  years 
prove  your  reproach,  and  its  own  curse,  by 
some  vicious  conduct  ?  How  would  it  rend 
3'our  very  soul  to  think  that  for  some  capital 
crime  it  should  fall  the  victim  of  civil  justice 
in  the  prison  or  at  the  scaffold  ?  But  what  is 
this  when  compared  with  the  more  dreadful 
doom  of  being  an  outcast  from  heaven,  an 
heir  of  wrath,  and  punished  with  everlasting 
destruction,  from  the  presence  of  the  Lord, 
and  the  glory  of  his  power?  How  could  you 
answer  for  such  neglect  to  those  children,  of 
whose  being  you  were  the  instrument  ?  How 
could  you  answer  to  that  God,  who  gave  them 
at  first,  and  commanded  you  to  *'  train  them 
up  in  his  nurture  and  admonition  ?'  In  sove- 
reignty the  Lord  may  "  pluck  them  as  brands 
out  of  the  burning,"  and  make  them  monu- 
ments of  his  grace  ;  but  if  your  duty  is  neg- 


243  Address,    ^c, 

lected,  you  have  neither  reason  nor  scripture 
to  expect  it. 

I  might  call  you  to  habituate  your  offspring 
to  the  ordinances  of  God,  from  a  regard  even 
to  their  temporal  respectability  and  happiness. 
— Are  any  lessons  on  morality  which  you  can 
give,  which  are  taught  them  in  the  common 
schools,  or  from  the  heathen  philosophers  so 
well  calculated  to  form  them  virtuous  m.en  or 
useful  citizens,  as  those  which  are  derived 
from  the  glorious  gospel  ?  Dare  ycu  compare 
the  ribaldry  of  a  Faine  with  the  heavenly 
principles  of  a  Solomon  in  his  proverbs,  or  a 
Paid  and  Peter  in  their  epistles  ?  Examine, 
in  ail  its  parts,  liis  Age  of  Reason,  which 
may  more  justly  be  called  the  essence  of  cor- 
ruption  and  bufFoonery,  and  see.  whether  he 
affords  precepts  either  so  pure  in  their  nature 
or  so  weight}  in  their  obligation,  to  qualify 
them  for  filling  with  propriety  the  different 
stations  of  life— for  rendering  them  obedient 
children,  dutiful  parents,  amiable  citizens,  or 
useful  maeisirates. 

To  all  these  i  may  add  a  concern  for  your 
neigiibors  around  you,  as  aiiother  argument 
urging  you  to  reverence  the  sanctuary.  Eve- 
ry man  is  in  some  measure  ''  his  brother's 
keeper,"  and  ought  by  precept  and  example 
to  aim  at  pron^oting  his  Vvclfiire.  Are  you 
not  influenced  in  some  degree  by  the  conduct 
of  others  ?  When  you  observe  ihcmi  cold  and 
indifferent  about  their  spiritual  concerns,  do 
you  not  feel  a   secret  temptation    to   imitate 


Address,  ^c.  249 

their  conduct  ?  Others  will  as  probably  be 
infiuenced  by  your  example  ;  and  thus,  thro' 
this  treacherous  neglect,  not  only  your  own 
souls  may  be  lost,  but  others  led  to  everlast- 
ing ruin,  through  the  influence  of  your  ex- 
ample. 

Thus  have  I  addressed  you,  in  this  familiar 
manner,  on  the  importance  of  attending  gos- 
pel ordinances.  You  appear  obligated  to  this 
duty  by  considerations  no  less  than  the  au- 
thority of  the  great  God,  gratitude  to  the  di- 
vine Redeemer,  the  welfare  of  your  own  souls 
and  the  souls  of  your  children  and  others. 
Are  you  convinced  of  their  importance,  and 
resolved  to  yield  to  these  admonitions,  or  are 
you  startingobjectionsto  justify  your  present 
neglect  ? 

1.  You  may  possibly  object,  that  your  re- 
sidence is  distant  from  the  place  of  worship  ; 
that  the  necessities  of  your  family  require  un- 
wearied labor  through  the  week  ;  that  yoii 
have  no  comfortable  conveyance,  and  owing 
to  the  fatigue  of  hard  labor  are  unable  to  walk. 

This  objection  I  should  scarcely  have  ex- 
pected from  any  who  believe  the  worth  of  the 
soul,  an  approaching  judgment,  or  endless 
eternity.  What?  Can  you  labor  six  days  in 
providing  for  your  bodies,  and  not  even  a 
part  of  the  seventh  in  promoting  the  salvation 
of  the  soul  ?  Can  you  encounter  the  toil  of 
thirty,  or  forty, or  fifty  miles  in  going  to  market, 
to  procure  things  temporal,  and  shrink  from  two 
or  three,  or  four,  to  the  sanctuary,  for  provi- 


450  Address^  yc. 

clinG;  thins>:s  eternal  ?  Wil] 
^*  labor  for  the  meat  lliat  perisheth/'  and  ut- 
terly neglect  that  "  which  endiireth  to  ever- 
lasting life,  which  the  Son  of  Man  shall  give?" 

But  not  to  mcniion  your  spiritual  interest, 
which  might  be  promoted,  does  not  gratitude 
to  your  great  Benefactor  call  for  this  small  ac- 
knowledgment of  his  authority  ? — Who  sup- 
ports you  in  life,  while  multitudes  are  daily 
consigned  to  the  silence  of  the  grave  ?  Wha 
imparts  to  you  health  of  body,  while  others 
around  you  languish  in  affliction,  or  who 
crowns  w^ith  success  the  labors  of  the  week  ? 
Do  you  not  live,  and  breathe,  and  move  in 
God,  and  is  not  every  enjoyment  a  stream 
from  his  bounty  ?  Thus  highly  favored  of 
him  through  tlie  week,  is  the  employment  un- 
reasonable, is  the  task  intoilerable  to  repair 
on  the  sabbath  to  the  sanctuary  for  celebrat- 
ing the  memory  of  his  goodness  ?  Or, 

2.  You  may  object  that  your  condition  Is 
indigent  ;  with  much  difficulty  you  can  pro- 
vide the  necessaries  of  life,  and  are  unable  to 
dress  yourselves  or  your  children  in  a  manner 
decent  for  appearing  in  public. 

To  this  1  might  reply,  that  the  *'  Lord 
seeth  not  as  man  seeth  ;  man  looketh  to  the 
outward  appearance,  but  the  Lord  looketh  to 
the  heart  "  It  is  not  a  splendid  outsit!c,  u 
body  richly  adorned,  which  receives  the  di- 
vine approbation,  but  the  soul  sanctified  by 
his  i^race,  restin<jc  on  his  rio'hteousness,  ihirst- 
iiiP'  for  his  coniniunion.     Besides,  it  is  to  such 


Address,  ^c.  251 

that  the  promise  is  more  immediately  directed. 
"  To  the  poor  the  gospel  is  preached."  "  Not 
-many  wise  men,  not  many  mis^hty,  not  many 
3ioble  are  called  ;  hut  God  hath  chosen  the 
poor  of  this  world  rich  in  faith,  and  heirs  of 
the  kingdom.''  To  shew  his  utter  contempt 
of  all  human  glory,  it  was  with  the  external- 
ly obscure  and  i  idigent,  that  the  great  God 
our  Saviour  usually  associated  on  earth  ; 
and  to  such  his  salvation  is  yet  more  general- 
ly bestowed.  If  you,  therefore,  cannot  re- 
commend your  children  by  outward  pomp 
and  grandeur,  be  the  more  industrious  to  have 
them  adorned  with  the  brighter  and  more  unfa- 
ding beauties  of  holiness  :  If  you  cannot  pro- 
mise them  the  wealth  of  this  world,  be  more 
anxious  to  secure  for  them  the  better  inherit- 
ance of  immortal  life.  Never  be  ashamed  to 
serve  God  with  such  raiment  as  his  providence 
affo  ds  you. — As  the  rich  man  should  not  glo- 
ry in  his  riches,  neidier  should  the  poor  man 
be  ashamed  of  his  poverty.      Or, 

3.  Do  you  object  that  occasionally  you 
have  attended  the  preaching  of  the  gospel, 
but  without  any  sensible  advantage  ;  you  feel 
no  greater  love  to  God,  nor  pleasure  in  dis- 
charging the  duties  of  religion  ;  you  have  ob- 
tained  no  satisfactory  assurance  of  pardon,  or 
salvation,  and  are  therefore  discouraged  from 
attending  ? 

To  attend  the  means  of  grace,  without  re- 
ceiving any  saving  advantages  from  them,  is 
reason  of  regret,  and  humiliation,  but   will 


252  Jddress,   Uc, 

by  no  means  justify  3-011  in  the  ntter  neglect. 
In  temporal  afiairs,  if  the  first  attempt  be  un- 
successful, we  repeat  and  redouble  our  exer- 
tions.    Because  the  prospects  of  the  husband- 
man have  been  frequently'  blasted  by  untimely 
frosts,  or  any  other  accident,  does  he  pass  a 
sullen    resolution  to  cease    from   farther  at- 
tempts :  does  he  fold  his  arms  in   sloth,  and 
conclude,  if  I  perish,  I  perish  ?  Rather  does 
not  a  sense  of  his  wants  rouse  him  to  greater 
exertion  ?  Thus  should  we  also  persevere  in 
spiritual  concerns.       A   mere    peradventure 
that  the  Lord  will  be  gracious  is  sufficient  en- 
couragement for  a  patient  and  persevering  at- 
tention to  the   means.      Although  in   several 
instances  the  ordinance  has  been    ineffectual, 
who  knows  but,  on  the  next  occasion,  it  may 
become  the  power  of  God  to  your  salvation. 
Frequently  did  the  woman  of  Canaan  address 
the    compassionate    Jesus    in   behalf   of  her 
daughter  :  she  prosecuted  her  appeal  with  ma- 
ny arguments  from  her  own  necessities  and  his 
infinite  fulness.  Long  did  the  venerable  Jacob 
urge  his  plea  with  the  Redeeming  Angel  and 
resolve  not  to  let  him  go  without  the  blessing  ; 
Thirty-eight  years  did  the  diseased  man  wait 
at  the  pool  without  any  apparent   advantage  ; 
But    although   their  patience  was  long  tried, 
and  some  of  them  seemingly  reproved  for  their 
importunity,   they   were  all  successful  appli- 
cants  for  mercy    at   last.      Be    encouraged, 
therefore,  faithfully  to  persevere  in  attending 
this  mean  of  salvation  :   **  Then  shall  you 


Address y    bV.  253 

know  him,  if  you  follow  on  to  knowthe  Lord." 
AVhat  is  the  toil  of  waiting  even  ten,  or  twen- 
ty, or  thirty  years,  when  compared  with  the 
prospect  of  an  eternity  of  joy  ?  On  the  other 
hand,  are  we  profited  by  our  present  ease  and 
indulgence,  if  that  must  issue  hereafter  in  the 
damnation  of  hell  ? 

4  Perhaps  you  introduce,  as  an  apology  for 
your  neglect  of  ordinances,  the  immoral  lives 
of  many  who  do  attend  ;  they  frequent,  you 
say,  the  temple  on  the  Lord's  day,  assume 
an  air  of  sanctity,  but  during  the  week  are  as 
irreligious  and  profligate  as  others  :  they  can 
profane  the  name  of  God,  defraud  their  neigh- 
bours, haunt  the  public  houses,  drinking, 
rioting  and  revelling. 

To  this  objection  it  is  suiHcient  to  reply, 
that  their  lessons  of  profiigacy  were  not  taught 
them  in  the  sanctuary  ;  this  corruption  of 
manners  is  the  oflspring,  not  of  the  ordinance, 
but  oftheir  not  duly  improving  the  ordinance. 
Is  it  generous,  is  it  just,  to  charge  upon 
Christianity  those  faults  v/hich  only  exist  a- 
mong  her  insincere,  unhallowed  professors  ? 
Have  any  effrontery  enough  to  impeach  the 
gospel  with  the  impure  language  of  one  man, 
when  it  requires  holiness  in  ail  manner  of  con- 
versation  ;  with  the  intrigue  and  dishonesty 
of  a  second,  when  it  commands  to  do  to  oth- 
ers as  we  would  that  others  should  do  to  us  ; 
or  with  the  drunkenness  of  a  third,  when  it 
explicitly  enjoins  upon  her  advocates,  *'  let 
your  moderation  be  known  to  ail  men  ;  avoid 

X 


254  Address,   ^c. 

even  the  appearance  of  evil,  live  soberly, 
righteously,  and  godly  in  this  present  world  :*' 
With  equal  propriety  might  we  ascribe  the 
darkness  ofnight  to  the  splendors  of  the  sun, 
or  the  noxious  snieli  of  the  rotten  carcase  to 
the  infiuence  of  that  heat  by  which  it  is  ex- 
haled. Such  immorality  among  professors, 
histead  of  prejudicing  against  the  gospel,  af- 
fords a  new  lesson  of  humiliation  to  ourselves  ; 
it  proves  the  extreme  depravity  of  the  human 
heart  which  the  best  means  of  themselves  can- 
not subdue,  and  should  render  us  more  im- 
portunate in  imploring  the  grace  of  the  Spirit 
upon  the  ordinances  w^hich  we  attend. 

5.  You  further  reply,  that  the  majority  of 
n^ankind  correspond  with  you  in  opinion  and 
conduct  J  that  many  live  like  yourselves  in 
the  entire  neglect  of  ordinances,  who  never- 
theless appear  as  happy  in  their  minds,  and  as 
prosperous  in  their  worldly  pursuits,  as  those 
■who  are  diligent  in  their  attention. 

This  consideration  may  satisfy  yoii  in  the 
r.ontempt  of  the  gospel,  but  to  me  it  appears 
an  awful  proof  of  its  truth  and  importance. 
Are  W'e  not  taught  *'  that  few  shall  be  saved;'* 
that  ""  strait  is  the  gate  and  narrow  is  the  way 
which  leadeth  to  life,  and  there  be  few  that 
f.nd  it  :"  I  must  confess,  that  I  never  reflect 
on  the  security  of  mankind  in  general  about 
their  spiritual  and  immortal  interests,  but  a 
secret  horror  impresses  me  from  that  passage, 
*'  broad  is  the  road  that  leads  to  destruction, 
and  many  there  be  \\\\o  q'o  in  thereat."  i  feel 


niore  powerfully  constrained  to  *'  make  my  own 
calling  and  election  sure.'*  Would  it  not  be 
a  miserable  eonoolation  to  you  wlien  convict- 
ed at  the  tribunal  of  the  great  Judge^*  that  o- 
thers  were  doomed  to  the  same  perdition  with 
yourself  :  or  in  hell,  that  others  were  tor- 
mented in  the  same  unquenchable  flames  ? 
Be  not,  therefore,  influenced  by  the  examph 
of  the  multitude,  but  *'  strive  that  ye  may  en- 
ter in  at  the  strait  gate  :  Work  out  your  sal- 
vation with  fear  and  trembling,"  by  improv- 
ing w^ith  diligence  each  mean  of  divine  ap- 
pointment* 

6.  It  may  also  be  objected,  that  you  are 
furnished  with  a  variety  of  books  ;  that  you 
have  among  you  the  holy  scriptures,  and  o- 
ther  pious  practical  writings,  and  think  that 
in  the  perusal  of  these,  you  can  spend  the  day 
more  to  your  comfort  and  edification  than  in 
hearing  an  ordinary  preacher. 

Was  the  preaching  of  the  gospel  founded 
on  human  authority,  or  supported  merely  by 
human  command,  this  objection  might  have 
considerable  w^eight :  but  is  not  this,  no  less 
than  baptism,  the  holy  supper,  and  every  o- 
ther  gospel  institution,  appointed  by  the  Lord 
Christ,  as  the  great  King  and  Head  of  his 
Church,  and  therefore  ought  conscientiously 
to  be  observed  by  the  children  of  Zion  out  of 
reverence  to  their  King  ?  To  contemn  or  neg- 
lect the  ordinance,  is  to  trample  on  that  au- 
thority by  which  it  was  instituted.  "  Go,' 
was  the  sovereign  command,  first  to  apostles, 


2S6  Address,     EsrV. 

and  ihroug'h  tlieiii  to  fislthfiil  ministers  their 
successors — "  Go,  preach  the  gospel  to  cvi^. 
ry  creature.  He  that  despiseth  jou  despis- 
cth  iiie,  and  he  that  despiseth  me  despiseth 
h'lni  that  sent  me.''  Besides,  the  glory  of 
God  claims  our  chief,  our  pre-eminent  re- 
gard ;  this  ought  uniformly  to  be  pre fe red  to 
our  own  convenience,  or  any  other  consider- 
ation, and  unquestionably  his  glory  is  promo- 
ted more  by  public  and  social  than  by  secret 
devotion,  however  duly  performed.  Do  we 
not  lift  a  more  pointed,  more  elevated  testi* 
Tnony  to  the  truth  of  the  gospel,  and  proclaim 
more  generously  our  glorying  in  the  Sa\'iour's 
cross,  by  publicly  repairing  to  his  house,  so- 
lemnly seating  ourselves  in  his  presence,  rai- 
sing our  voices  in  his  praise,  pouring  out  our 
hearts  before  him  in  social  supplication,  re- 
verently attending  to  his  message  as  uttered 
by  his  ambassadors,  or  encircling  his  table  to 
receive  the  symbols  of  his  body  and  blood, 
than  in  private  devotion,  however  duly  or 
conscientiously  performed  ?  That  the  pos- 
session of  these  pious,  practical  authors  is  a 
distinguishing  privilege,  and  that  we  ought 
carefully  to  improve  them,  is  readily  acknow- 
ledged  ;  but  one  duty  ought  never  to  be 
discharged  to  the  exclusion  of  another  :  other- 
wise God  will  be  dishonored  and  our  spiritu- 
al edification  prevented.  The  great  God  has 
ordained  a  variety  of  means,  both  private 
and  public,  for  our  salvation,  and  it  is  equaU 
]y  our  interest  and  duty  to  improve   them  in 


Mdress,   bV.  257 

the  order  he  has  appointed.  Will  he  who 
has  imparted  to  his  servants  a  great  diversity 
of  gifts,  who  h.)s  positively  enjoined  them, 
'^  teach  all  nations,  preach  the  gospel,  hear 
the  word  at  my  mouth,  and  warn  them  from 
me;"  and  his  people,  *' take  heed  how  ye 
hear  ;  forget  not  the  assembling  of  yourselves 
together  ;"  will  he  visit  you  with  the  consola- 
tions of  his  spirit,  living  in  the  violation  of 
commands  so  explicit  ?  Every  ordinance,  as 
to  its  efncacy,  depends  on  the  blessing  of  the 
Holy  Ghost,  and  this  blessing  is  to  be  ex- 
pected only  in  his  appointed  way. — The  same 
virtue  existed  in  Pharpar  and  Abana^  rivers 
qI  Damascus,  as  in  the  waters  oi  Jordan  ;  yet 
the  leper  might  have  washed  in  them  seventy 
times  seven  without  removing  his  disease. 
The  gospel  preached  in  its  native  purity  and 
simplicity,  is  the  mean  which  God  has  emi- 
nently countenanced  for  the  conversion,  and 
salvation  of  sinners.  "  He  delighteth  in  the 
gates  of  Zlon  more  than  all  the  dwellings  of 
Jacob.'^' 

Lastly  It  may  be  objected,  that  a  variety 
of  denominations  exist  :  Each  arrogate  truth 
as  their  peculiar  prerogative  ;  they  are  fre- 
quently contending  with  each  other ;  vou 
know  not,  therefore  with  which  to  unite,  and 
perhaps  imagine  that  there  is  little  sincerity 
with    any  of  them. 

It  is  a  fact  equally  obvious  and  humiliating 
that  with  the  same  bible  in  our   hands,  there 
appears  such  a  diversity  of    opinion  with  re- 
x'2 


258  Address,    '^c, 

spect  to  matters  of  religion,  but  this  consider- 
ation only  proves  the  darkness  of  human  rea- 
son; that  here  we  see  only  in  part,  and  often  er- 
roneously ;  and  instead  of  relaxing  our  dili- 
gence, or  encouraging  an  utter  contempt  of  re- 
ligion it  should  prompt  to  a  more  patient  and 
im-partial  inquiry  after  truth.  The  mistake  of 
one  professor,  in  forming  his  religious  creed, 
will  not  justify  you  in  making  no  profession. 
Because  some  hold  the  truth  in  unrighteous' 
fiess,  is  it  reasonable  in  you  not  to  hold  it  at 
all  ?  Are  we  not  rather  commanded  *'  to  prove 
all  things  ;  to  try  the  spirits  whether  they  be 
of  God  ;''  to  bring  their  doctrines  to  the  scrip- 
tures, the  infallible  standard,  and  either  re- 
ceive or  reject  as  they  may  direct. 

Now,  dearly  beloved.  1  have  addressed  you 
with  much  plainness  on  the  importance  of  at- 
tending public  ordinances  ;  I  have  heard  with 
patience  your  diiTcrent  objections,  and  I  trust 
have  fully  shewn  them  to  be  such  as  can  nei- 
ther satisfy  your  consciencies  here,  nor  here- 
after  support  you  at  the  more  dreadful  tribu- 
nal of  your  Judge.  Vv  hat  resolution  are  you 
now  forming  ?  Will  you  dare  to  continue  in 
the  habitual  neglect  of  this  institution  of  the 
living  God  ;  and  can  you  escape  in- this  neg- 
lect ?  Is  it  not  a  fearful  thing  to  fall  into  the 
hands,  and  lay  eternally  under  the  wrath  of 
Almighty  God  ?  Can  you,  who  are  but  fading- 
flesh,  can  you  dwell  v^'ith  devouring  flames  ; 
can  you  dwell  Vvith  everlasting  burnings  ? 
Are  you  so  easily  discouraged  at  the  prospect 
of  toil  and  dlfilculty,  as  to  refuse  traveling 


Addressy    ^c.  259 

two,  or  three,  or  four  miles,  to  hear  the  gos- 
pel of  reconciliation  ;  and  yet  will  you  run  the 
hazard  of  never-ending  pain  ?  VVould  it  not 
overwhelm  your  spirits  to  be  excluded  the 
society  of  men  ;  to  be  doomed  to  some  lone- 
ly desert  ;  or  for  a  capital  crime  to  be  con- 
signed to  the  horrors  of  a  dungeon  there  to 
languish  for  life  ;  and  yet  can  you  endure  the 
tiiought  of  being  everlastingly  separated  from 
the  communion  of  God,  of  blessed  angels  and 
men  ;  to  be  doomed  to  the  blackness  of  dark- 
ness forever,  where  evil  angels  will  eternally 
triumph  over  you  as  the  simple  prey  of  their 
temptations,  and  evil  men,  your  present  com- 
panions in  sin,  will  aggravate  your  torment, 
by  deriding  you  as  the  instruments  of  their 
damnation  ?  "  Hear  this,  ye  that  forget  God, 
lest  he  tear  you  in  pieces  when  there  is  none 
to  deliver.'* 

Again  :  Is  it  a  small  thing  to  recompence 
with  such  ingratitude  the  great  God,  our  Sa- 
viour :  him  whose  love  was  so  distinguishing 
that,  passing  by  the  angels,  he  assumed  the 
nature  of  man  :  whose  love  was  so  astonish- 
ing as  to  procure  our  redemption  from  wrath, 
by  the  effusion  of  his  own  blood  ?  Behold  ! 
O  sinner,  and  tell  ;  was  ever  love  to  be  men- 
tioned with  the  Saviour's  love  ?  Although  he 
was  rich,  possessed  of  all  divine  excellence 
•and  glory,  yet  for  thy  sake  and  mine  he  became 
poor,  appeared  without  comeliness  or  form, 
was  despised  of  men,  and  a  reproach  of  the 
people  ?  Was  ever  love,  O  fellow  sinner,  to 


260  Address,   ^r. 

be  compared  with  the  love  of  the  Son  of  God, 
who,  though  blessed,  ineffably  blessed  from 
eternity,  in  his  Father's  bosom  for  our  sake 
became  a  curse,  was  obedient  unto  the  death 
of  the  cross;  and  yet  shall  we  despise  the  re- 
demption he  has  procured  ?  Does  he  conde- 
scend to  wait  from  sabbath  to  sabbath  ;  does 
he  ord.in  ambassadors  to  propose  in  his  name 
overtures  of  peace,  and  shall  his  message  be 
deliberately  contemned  ?  Is  this  thy  kindness 
to  thy  friend  ?  Tiie  Queen  of  the  South  will 
rise  up  in  Judgment  against  you,  because  she 
came  from  the  uttermost  parts  of  the  earth  to 
hear  the  wisdom  of  Solomon  ;  but  behold  a 
greater  than  Solomon  is  here,  addressing  you 
through  the  medium  of  his  servants,  yet  his 
voice  is  rejected  with  disdain.  The  unsin- 
ning  angels  will  appear  for  your  condemna- 
tion, because  although  they  had  no  personal 
concern  in  Messiah  s  redemption,  they  has- 
tened to  the  place  of  his  birth,  and  with  trans- 
ports of  joy  hailed  his  appearance  in  the  world 
while  you,  whose  nature  he  assumed,  whose 
guilt  he  sustained  and  for  whose  salvation  he 
suffered,  can  live  from  w^ek  to  week  without 
expressing  your  gratitude  by  repairing  to  his 
house.  The  very  heathen  of  the  wilderness 
shall  be  brought  forward  as  awful  witnesses  a- 
gainst  you  hereafter  :  Aided  by  nothing  but 
the  obscure  light  of  reason,  what  costly 
schemes  have,  they  embraced  for  appeasing 
the  wrath  of  their  gods  ;  thousands  of  riims 
have  bled  upon  their  altars  j  rivers  of  oil  have 


Address,  ^c.  261 

flowed  forth  as  libations  ;  the  first  born,  the 
fruit  of  their  body,  has  frequently  been  offer- 
ed a  sacrifice  for  the  sin  of  their  souls  :  But 
when  pardon  has  been  procured  you  ;  when 
this  pardon  is  announced  in  the  everlasting 
gospel  to  all  that  will  receive  it^  yet  you  deli- 
berately reject  it.  Your  very  anxiety  about 
your  temporal  interests,  and  your  industry  in 
pursuingthem,  must  hereafter  appear  as  a  wit- 
ness against  your  indifference  and  sloth  about 
your  eternal  concerns.  How  eagerly  do  you 
labor  for  the  meat  that  perisheth  :  You  sub- 
mit to  every  hardship  ;  you  endure  alike  ths 
scorching  sun  of  summer,  and  the  chilling 
blasts  of  winter  ;  at  the  expence  of  your  ease, 
and  the  hazard  of  your  health,  you  can  spend 
the  night  in  repairing  to,  or  returning  from  the 
market ;  all  to  secure  a  subsistence  for  this 
short,  uncertain  life  ;  but  alas  !  how  cold,  how 
indolent,  in  providing  for  the  soul,  which  ne- 
ver  dies.  Will  your  hearts  endure,  will  your 
arms  be  strong,  gospel  despisers,  when  the 
compassionate  Saviour,  provoked  by  this  pre» 
sumptuous  neglect,  shall  appear  terribly  to 
judgment  ?  Where  will  yoa  flee  for  help, 
%vhen  Jesus,  the  Divine,  the  ojily-  Mediator, 
vv^ho  now  waits  lo  be  gracious,  shall  be  reveal- 
ed from  heaven  in  flaming  fire,  taking  ven- 
geance on  them  that  know  not  God,  and  obey 
not  his  gospel  ;  on  thee,  thou  inhabitant  of 
Salem,  living  in  the  neglect  of  his  ordinances  ? 
What  wilt  thou  reply,  when  that  awful  charge 
is  thundered  in  thine  ears,  I  called  by  such  a 


262  Address,  £sV. 

minister  and  ye  refused  ;  I  stretched  out  my 
hands  in  the  sanctuary  with  the  olive  branch 
of  peace,  but  you  would  not  regard  ;  I  now 
laugh  at  your  calamity,  and  mock  when  your 
fear  cometh  ?  O  brethren,  be  entreated  to 
**  acquaint  now  yourselves  with  God,  and  be 
at  peace  ;  toseekrighteousness^  to  seek  meek- 
ness  that  you  may  be  hid  in  the  day  of  the 
Lord  s  anger." 

I  now  conclude,  beseeching  you,  as  a  bro- 
ther, whose  bosom  moves  with  concern  for 
your  everlasting  welfare  ;  as  a  fellow-sinner, 
who  was  involved  by  nature  in  the  same 
wretchedness,  and  who  declares,  as  in  the  pre- 
sence of  the  heart-searching  Jehovah,  that  he 
esteems  salvation  by  free  grace,  through  the 
blood  of  Jesus,  as  more  to  be  desired  than  a 
thousand  worlds  ;  as  a  minister  of  the  gospel, 
who  ought,  and  unfeignedly  desires,  to  tra- 
vail as  in  birth  for  your  saving  conversion  to 
God  ;  who  is  authorised  and  enjoined  to  go 
about  the  streets  and  lanes  pressing  you  to 
come  in  ;  under  all  these  characters  let  me 
beseech  you  to  consider  your  ways.  Under 
a  sense  of  having  lost  former  precious  oppor- 
tunities, be  the  more  industrious  in  improv- 
ing your  privileges  hereafter.  The  message 
in  this  familiar  address  is  carried  honie  to 
your  houses  ;  already  it  is  transcribed  as  it 
were  in  the  volume  of  God,  and,  I  tremble  to 
add,  if  misimproved  shall  appear  to  your  con- 
demnation, in  that  awful  hour  when  ''  God 
shall  judge  the  secrets  of  men  by  Jesus  Christ. 


JddresSy  ^c.  263 

**iryou  have  any  care  of  your  eternal  estate  ;  if 
you  have  the  least  compassion  tow  rds  your 
immortal  soul;  if  you  have  any  rational  con- 
sideration dwelling;  in  your  mind  :  if  all  be 
not  defaced  through  the  power  of  lust  and 
love  of  sin,  you  cannot  but  regard  yourself  as 
unspeakably  concerned  in  this  proposal :  but 
now,  if  instead  hereof  you  give  yourself  up  to 
the  power  of  unbelief,  the  will  of  Satan,  the 
love  of  your  lusts,  and  this  present  world,  so 
as  to  take  no  notice  of  this  message  from  God, 
nor  once  seriously  to  enquire  after  the  nature 
and  importance  of  the  terms  proposed,  can 
you,  shall  you  be  delivered  ?  Will  your  latter 
end  be  peace  F  The  I.ord  knows  it  will  be 
otherwise  with  you,  and  that  to  eternity.'* 

That  a  merciful  God,  whose  you  are  by  na- 
ture, whose  patience  you  have  long  abused 
by  the  neglect  of  his  ordinances,  and  at  whose 
bar  you  must  siiortly  receive  your  irreversi- 
ble doom,  may  persuade  you  to  regard  **  in 
this  your  day,  the  things  that  belong  to  your 
peace,  before  they  be  hid  from  your  eyes  ;" 
that  HE  may  <'  bring  you  to  the  holy  moun- 
tain'* of  his  church,  and  *'  make  you  joyful  in 
his  house  of  prayer"  as  a  pledge  of  introdu- 
cing you  hereafter,  through  the  blood  of  the 
everlasting  covenant,"  to  the  heavenly  Jerusa- 
lem, to  an  innumerable  company  of  angels, 
and  to  the  general  assembly  of  the  first  born,'' 
is  the  prayer  of  your  unfeigned  friend,  and 
devoted,  although  unworthy,  servant  in  the 
gospel  of  Jesus.  A.  PROUDFIT. 

iSalem,  September  17,  1800. 


SERMON  XI. 


LUK2    VIII.    18. 

Take  heed,  therefore,  how  ye  hear, 

PERHAPS  in  no  part  of  our  country 
are  the  inhabitants  niore  distinguished  for 
their  uniform  attendance  upon  the  ordinances 
of  grace  than  in  the  town  where  we  reside  : 
There  are  few  places  of  public  worship  more 
crowded  from  sabbath  to  sabbath  than  the 
sanctuary  in  which  we  are  now  assembled. — 
This  external  respect  for  religion  is  amiable, 
and  ought  to  be  encouraged.  *'  Bodily  ex- 
ercise/* although  it  "  profiteth  little,"  yet  it 
is  more  profitable  than  no  exercise  because  a 
visible  church  is  thus  maintained  in  the  world, 
and  they  who  appear  in  the  tem.ple  enjoy  the 
means  of  salvation,  and  have  the  promise  of 
mercy  from  Jehovah.  "  For  there  the  Lord 
commandeth  the  blessing,  even  life  forever- 
more."  There  may  be  the  hearing  ear  with- 
out the  luiderstanding  heart,  yet  without 
the  former  the  latter  is  not  to  be  expect- 
ed. "  Faith  cometh  by  hearing,"  it  is 
ordinarily  produced  by  the  word  of  truth  as 
the  instrument,  and  therefore  in  the  deliber- 
ate neglect  of  this  word  it  is  presumption  to 
ask  the  blessing,  as  a  man,  when  diseased, 
would  be  presumptuous  in  expecting  a  cure 
while  he  neglects  the  medicine  offered  him, 
or  the  man  wasted  with  hunger  would  expect 
his  strength  to  be  renewed  while  he  refuses 


Sermon  11.  265 

the  nourishing  bread.  Yet  this  outward  at- 
tention to  the  administration  of  the  word  is 
insufficient  without  the  proper  improvement 
of  it :  Many  enter  the  sanctuary  on  earth,  who, 
we  have  reason  to  fear,  will  never  be  admitted 
within  the  walls  of  the  temple  above,  nor  invit- 
ed to  '*  sit  down  with  Abraham,  and  Isaac,  and 
Jacob  in  the  kingdom  of  God.  Not  every 
one  that  saith  unto  me  Lord,  Lord,  shall  en- 
ter into  the  kingdom  of  heaven  ;  Many  will 
say  to  the  Saviour  in  that  day.  Lord,  Lord, 
have  we  not  prophesied  in  thy  name,  and  thou 
hast  taught  in  our  streets.  But  he  shall  say 
unto  them  I  know  you  not  whence  you  are  ; 
depart  from  me  all  ye  workers  of  iniquity." 
My  design  in  this  discourse  is  to  keep  you 
from  resting  on  the  form  of  religion  ;  it  is  to 
shew  you  how  the  ordinance  may  be  impro- 
ved for  your  spiritual  and  everlasting  advan- 
tage, 

We  are  therefore  naturally  called, 

I.  To  enquire  into  the  nature  of  the  exer- 
cise recommended  ;  and 

IL   When   we  ought  more  especially  **  to 
take  heed  " 

The  exercise  recommended, 

I.  Implies  a  firm  belief  that  the  doctrines 
which  we  hear  are  the  truth  of  the  Living 
God,  and  a  profound  reverence  for  them  as 
such.  Was  this  persuasion  more  generally 
entertained,  the  word  preached  would  have  a 
more  deep  and  lasting  effect  on  the  hearer. 
Many  go  to  church  as  a  matter  of  course  : 
y 


2^'  S^rmon^  11. 

their  external  deportment  is  respectful,  and 
apparently  solemn  ;  they  cTfterwcirds  expiess 
their  approbation  of  the  discourse,  and  of 
liim  who  delivers  it  :  But  do  they  really  con- 
sider it  as  the  truth  of  Jehovah  ?  Are  they  fiil* 
\y  impressed  with  the  conviction  that  every 
promise,  and  every  threatning  will  be  accom- 
])lished  either  sooner  or  later.  7'he  apostle 
speaking  of  the  Hebrews  declares,  '^  the  word 
preaehed  did  not  profit  them  ;"  it  was  not 
accompanied  with  any  saving:  efficacy  upon 
their  hearts,  **  not  being  mixed  with  faith  in 
them  that  heard  it.''  We  cannot  therefore 
hear  the  word  in  a  becoming,  profitable  man- 
ner without  a  full  persuasion  of  it.s  truth  ; 
M'ithout  duly  realising  that  all  the  threatning^ 
%vill  be  executed  upon  the  impenitent,  and 
that  all  the  promises  being  *' yea  and  amen" 
will  be  fulfilled  to  the  righiteous  either  in 
grace  or  in  glor}'.  *'  He  that  eometh  unto 
God  must  believe  that  he  is:-'  that  he  is  a 
Being  infinitely  perfect,  and  will  display  these 
perfections  "  in  rewarding  such  as  diligently 
jseek  him,"  or  in  pouring  his  fury  ou  the  e- 
nemies  of  his  government.  This  reverence 
for  the  word  ;  this  firm  persuasion  of  its  truth 
the  apostle  highly  recommends,  in  the  Thes- 
salonian  hearers.  *'  For  this  cause  thank  we 
God  without  ceasing,  because  when  }e  re- 
ceived the  word  of  God  which  ye  heard  of  us, 
ye  received  it  not  as  the  word  of  man  but  as 
the  word  of  God  which  worketh  siIslO  eifeetu- 
ally  in  you  who  believe  it/' 


Sennon  11.  261 

2.  This  -exercise  iiiipUes  an  application  of 
tiie  truths  delivered  as  interesting  to  ourselves 
in  particular,  ft  is  not  enough  that  we  give 
the  hearing  -ear,  or  that  we  yield  to  it  the  as- 
sent of  the  understanding  as  a  message  from 
God,  but  we  should  apply  it  as  his  message 
to  ourselves  particularly.  The  want  of  this 
application  is  another  great  reason  why  the 
gospel  preached  is  unprofitable  to  so  many 
who  hear  it.  While  the  preacher  is  announ- 
cing in  his  Master's  name  that  "  without  faith 
it  is  impossible  to  please  God,  that  except 
we  repent  we  must  all  likewise  perish  ;  that 
if  any  man  love  not  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ 
he  must  be  anathema,  maranatha '  accursed 
-from  his  gracious  presence,  the  hearers  should 
recollect  that  all  these  denunciations  are  level- 
led against  them  while  they  continue  destitute 
Q^ faith,  or  repentance,  or  love  :  each  ought 
immediately  and  impartially  to  examine,  *'arri 
I  really  a  partaker  of  this  precious  faith  ;  do 
I  possess  the  marks  of  that  repentance  which 
issues  in  life  everlasting  ?  Has  the  love  of 
God  been  slied  abroad  through  my  heart  by 
the  Holy  Ghost  and  is  it  evidenced  by  a  re- 
spect for  all  his  eommandments  ?  While  the 
preacher  in  the  name  of  his  Master  declares, 
*'  he  that  belie veth  on  the  Son  hath  everlasting 
life,  and  shall  not  enter  into  condemnation  ; 
xh^j  who  ar^  begotten  again  to  this  lively 
hope  are  kept  by  the  power  of  God  through 
faith  unto  salvation  ;  as  many  as  are  led  by 
■the  spirit  of  God  they  are  the  Sons  of  Gtd, 


^68  Sermon  11. 

and  ifchildren  then  heir?,  lieirsofGod,  and  joint 
heirs  with  Christ;  aii  things  shall  work  together 
for  good  to  them  that  love  God ;  to  them  who 
are  the  called  according  to  his  purpose,'  the 
children  of  the  kingdom  may  apply  these  truths 
for  their  immediate  consolation,  and  triumph. 
In  the  confidence  of  a  living  faith  they  may  be 
secretly  exulting,  **  who  shall  separate  us 
from  the  love  of  Christ  ;  all  the  sufferings  of 
this  present  life  are  not  worthy  to  be  compar- 
ed to  that  glory  which  shall  be  revealed  in  us  ; 
we  will  now  take  upand  carry  along  every  cross 
v/ith  all  submission  in  the  prospect  of  that 
crown  of  glory  which  awaits  us  in  rever- 
bion."  We  ought  thus  to  take  heed  how  rve 
hear  by  making  a  diligent,  impartial  applica- 
tion of  the  truths  delivered,  either  for  convic- 
tion or  consolation.  This  is  called  in  scrip- 
ture, *'  receiving  the  ingrafted  word  which 
is  able  to  save  our  souls  ;"  we  must  receive, 
incorporate  the  word  w^ith  our  hearts,  as  the 
man  must  receive  the  bread  who  expects  his 
body  to  be  nourished,  or  as  we  must  receive 
the  wine  and  milk  to  be  refreshed  or  exhilira- 
ted  by  them. 

3.  This  exercise  implies  a  resolution  to  aim 
at  reducing  to  practice  the  truths,  which  we 
do  hear.  All  our  knowledge  of  divine  mys- 
tcries  whether  acquired  at  home,  or  in  the 
sanctuary  is  profitable  only  as  it  tends  to  pu- 
rify the  heart  and  regulate  the  conduct.  The 
ministry  of  reconciliation  is  not  designed 
merely  to  make  us  zviser  but  better ;  not   to 


Sermon  11.  269 

fill  the  head  with  correct  notions,  or  spe- 
culations, but  to  impress  the  heart  with  pure 
principles,  and  motives  ;  not  merely  to  render 
us  capable  of  declaiming  against  the  odioiis- 
ness  of  sin,  and  painting  the  beauties  of  vir- 
tue, but  rather  to  make  us  actually  abhor 
the  one  and  esteem  and  practise  the  other. 
**  The  grace  of  God  that  bringeth  salvation 
teacheth  us  to  deny  ungodliness,  and  world- 
ly lusts  ;  not  to  be  conformed  to  this  world, 
but  -transformed  by  the  renewing  of  our  minds 
that  we  may  know  what  is  that  good,  and  ho- 
ly, and  acceptable  and  perfect  will  of  the 
Lord."  The  apostle  James  therefore  exhorts 
"  be  ye  doers  of  the  word  and  not  hearers  on- 
ly deceiving  yourselves  :  Whoso  looketh  into 
the  perfect  law  of  liberty,  not  being  a  forget- 
ful hearer,  but  doer  of  the  word,  that  man 
shall  be  blessed  in  his  deed.'  Such  also  is 
the  doctrine  taught  by  our  Lord  in  the  para- 
ble of  the  sower.  ''  He  that  received  seed 
into  good  ground  is  he  that  heareth  the  word 
and  understandeih  it  ;  which  also  beareth 
fruit:  it  btareth  fruit  \  The  word  of  truth  is 
a  living  principle  and  whtn  deposited  in  a  kind- 
ly soil  springs  up  presenting  the  blade  and 
ear,  and  ripening  corn,  '*  some  an  hundred 
fold,  some  sixty  fold,  and  some  thirty." 

Is  the  duty  of  taking  heed  how  xve  hear  so 
important  in  itself,  is  it  so  essenti;  lly  requi- 
site to  our  comfort,  and  profit,  m  hen  ought 
w^e  especially  to  be  exercised  in  taking  heed 
how  we  hcdr  ? 

y2 


270  Sermon  11. 

This  was  our  second  proposition  and  re- 
mains now  to  be  considered. 

1.  We  ousrht  to  be  exercised  in  taking  heed 
before  v/e  repair  to  the  place  of  public  wor- 
ship. If  we  enter  the  house  of  God  without 
previously  preparing  our  hearts  by  devout 
contemplation,  and  prayer,  the  word  preach- 
ed will  probably  be  to  us  as  seed  dropping  on 
the  highway  where  the  soil  is  liard  and  un- 
kindly ;  where  it  lies  uncovered  and  exposed, 
liable  to  be  trodden  under  foot  by  every  tra- 
veller, or  to  be  snatched  up  by  every  bird  that 
passeth  along,  or  where,  should  it  even  be 
permitted  to  remain,  it  has  no  opportunity  of 
taking  root,  or  springing  up  and  bearing  fruit : 
If  we  enter  the  sanctuary  with  our  hearts  filled 
and  perplexed  with  the  cares  of  the  world  the 
preached  word  will  probably  be  to  us  like  the 
seed  falling  among  thorns  where  it  is  ham- 
pered, and  has  no  room  to  grow  up  and  ex- 
pand and  present  a  liberal  harvest,  or  if  it  is 
permitted  to  grow  the  blade  must  remain  sick- 
ly, and  the  fruit  withered  and  unprofitable. 
We  ought  therefore  to  aim  at  preparing  our 
souls  for  the  reception  of  the  word  by  prayer, 
by  meditation,  and  other  appropriate  means. 
Many  promises  are  recorded  to  encourage  us 
in  attending  the  temple  of  the  Living  God. 
*'  The  Lord  loveth  the  gates  of  Zion  more 
than  all  the  duellings  of  Jacob:  He  will  abun- 
dantly bless  her  provision  and  satiafv  her 
poor  with  bread  :"  These  promises  on  the 
morning  of  the  christian    sabbath  we  should 


Sermon  U.  271 

convert  into  prayers  expostulating  withZion's 
King  that  he  ''  would  do  as  he  has  said  ;" 
Numerous  instances  are  related  of  his  pre- 
sence in  his  courts,  accompanying  with  ener- 
gy the  administration  of  the  word.  *'  He  o- 
pened  the  heart  of  Lydia,'  inclining,  and 
enabling  her  *'  to  attend  to  the  things  which 
were  spoken  by  the  apostles;"his  grace  co-op- 
erated widi  the  ministry  of  a  Paul, a  Peter,a  Si- 
las, and  others,for  the  conversion  of  thousands 
who  heard  t  em:  Therefore  as  we  are  preparing 
ourselves  for  going  to  the  temple  of  our  Fa- 
ther, and  as  we  are  sitting  in  his  temple  we 
may  supplicate  that  his  presence  might  be 
with  us,  as  it  was  with  Moses  on  the  mount, 
or  with  his  disciples  in  the  upper  room  con- 
vened for  his  worship  ;  that  he  would  breathe 
on  oui  hearts  as  he  did  on  theirs,  command- 
ing us  '' to  receive  the  Holy  Ghost  '  We 
ought  to  reflect  on  the  deep,  infinite  interest 
which  we  have  in  the  message  to  be  delivered; 
that  if  it  is  not  the  "•  savour  of  life  unto  life, 
it  must  prove  the  savour  of  death  unto  death  ;'' 
if  it  is  not  effectual  for  our  conversion,  and 
salvation  it  must  issue  in  our  more  aggravated 
guilt,  and  condemnation.  By  reflections  of 
this  nature  we  should  rouse  up  our  souls  to 
a  holy  diligence  in  improving  the  message  of 
life.  Ho^v  importunate  was  Divid  one  mo- 
ment with  his  own  soul,  *'  to  awaken  it,'  and 
anofher  moment  with  his  God  for  his  fellow- 
ship in  the  temple  of  his  grace  ?  ''  Awarie  up 
psaltery  and  h^rp,  I  myself  will  awake  early; 


272  Sermon   11. 

O  send  out  thy  light  and  thy  tiuih  that  they 
may  be  guides  unto  me."  Equally  fervent 
were  the  supplic<ilions  of  Moses  as  he  np- 
proached  the  hcu^se  of  his  God  "Lord, 
shew  nrie  thy  glory  ;  if  thy  presence  go  not 
^\  ith  me,  crtrry  me  not  up  hence  ;  what  will 
avail  the  service  of  the  outer  court,  or  the 
voice  of  a  mortal  addressing  the  ear,  or  the 
fellowship  of  the  visible  worshippers  if  I  am 
not  admitted  within  the  vail,  if  I  have  no 
comm.union  \\'\\\\  the  Father  in  his  love,  with 
the  Son  in  his  grace,  or  the  holy  Spirit  in  his 
consolations."  The  soul  of  the  hearer  thus 
interested  and  solemnised  by  reading,  by 
contem.plation  upon  the  promises,  by  pra)  er 
to  a  holy  God  for  his  Spirit  to  enlighten  aiid 
sanctify  is  like  the  soil  mellowed  by  the  hands 
of  the  husbandman  ;  it  is  prepared  for  the  re- 
ception of  the  good  seed,  and  under  the  fos- 
tering shov.ers  of  heaven  miay  be  expected  to 
**  brine*  forth  thirtv,  or  sixtv,  or  an  hundred 
fold."" 

2.  We  ought  especially  to  tal^e  heed  when 
we  are  seated  in  the  sanctuary.  We  should 
aim  at  dismissing  every  idle,  much  rather, 
every  worldly,  wanton  thought,  and  che- 
rishing a  solemnity  of  spirit  answerable  to 
the  majesty  of  that  God  whose  presence 
we  have  approached.  ''  He  will  be  sanctifitd 
by  all  them  that  draw  near  him,  and  by  all  the 
people  he  will  be  glorified.''  We  ought  to 
consider  that  the  great  God  walks  in  the 
"  midst  of  the  golden  candlesticks  ;''  that  he 


Sermon  11.  273 

notices  wliether  they  are  carefully  trimmed 
and  burning  ;  whether  the  graces  of  the  wor- 
shipers are  lively  and  vigorous ;  whether 
they  are  receiving  with  faith,  and  love,  and 
gratitude  the  message  of  peace  and  salvation 
as  announced  by  his  servants  ;  whether  their 
hearts  are  ascending  on  the  wings  of  devout 
contemplation  to  Jehovah  as  their  exceeding 
joy  and  all  satisfying  portion. 

The  moment  that  we  enter  the  threshold  of 
the  temple  we  should  consider  the  awful  so- 
lemnity of  our  situation  ;  realising  that  the 
sanctuary  on  earth  is  an  emblem  of  the  sanc- 
tuary above,  where  nothing  unclean  shall  ever 
be  admitted  ;  where  there  **  shall  not  enter 
anv  thino:  that  defileth,  neither  that  which  do- 
cth  iniquity  ;*'  that  we  are  surrounded  with 
an  innumerable  company  of  angels  who  are 
anxious  spectators  of  our  conduct  ;  who  re- 
joice to  witness  our  repentance,  our  joys,  our 
hopes,  and  who  weep,  if  angels  can  weep,  at 
beholding  the  last  mark  of  inattention,  or  irre- 
verence. Above  all  in  entering  the  walls  of 
the  house  of  God  we  should  consider  that  we 
are  in  the  presence  of  that  Being  who  "search- 
es the  heart,  and  tries  the  reins  of  the  chil- 
dren of  men,  and  will  render  to  every  one  ac- 
cording to  their  works  :'*  who  marks  every 
expression  of  the  countenance,  every  attitude 
of  the  body,  and  explores  with  infinite  jealou- 
sy the  darkest  recesses  of  the  mind.  It  is 
this  lively,  spiritual  frame  which  renders  or* 
dinances  both  delightful  and  profitable  :  Un- 


274  Sermon  11. 

der  the  influence  of  such  a  dispositionthe  hearer 
will  bC' constrained  to  aokiKnvktdge,  **  surely 
it  is  good  for  me  that  1  draw  near  unto  God  ; 
a  day  in  thy  courts  is  better  than  a  thousand 
in  the  tents  of  wickedness  :  Hotv  dreadful  is 
"this  place  ;  it  is  no  other  than  the  house  of 
God  ;  it  is  the  gate  of  heaven  :  My  soul  shall 
be  satisfied  as  with  marrow  and  fatness." — 
7'he  gospel  of  peace  proclaimed  in  its  simpli- 
city by  the  ambassadors  of  Jesus  becomes  re- 
freshing to  him  as  the  showers  of  rain  to  the 
!parched  earth,  or  as  the  cooling  stream  to  the 
-man  who  is  languishing  with  thirst. 

Shall  1  repeat  it  again  that  the  moment  we 
-enter  within  the  wails  of  the  sanctuar)'  ev^ry 
thought  of  the  heart  should  *'  be  holiness  to 
the  Lord  ;"  every  feature  of  the  face,  every 
gesture  of  the  body  as  an   index   should  ex- 
press the  solemnity  and  devotian  of  the  spirit  : 
But,  ah,  how  different  frequently  is  the  con- 
duct of  worshippers  in   the   visible  churcli  ? 
^ome  allow  themselves  in  unnecessarily  with- 
drawing, and  returning  in  the  time  of  divine 
service  -,  whereby  their  own  hearing  is  inter- 
rupted, the  speaker  necessarily  embarrassed, 
-the  outward  order  of  ordinances  broken,  and 
the  edification  of  those  around  them  prevented, 
ami  tills  restlessness  of  behavioar  is  an  awful 
rproof  .of  ail  unsanctified  lieart,  that  like  Doej^ 
'*  we  are  detained  before  the  Lord,'*  and  do 
not  feel  at  home  in  the  sanctuary.     How  mor- 
tif)ing  to   see  others  indulging  themselves  in 
sleep,  yielding  to  the  influence  of  a  dro^Ysy, 


Sermmi  11.  275t 

indolent  frame  ?  No  doubt  the  most  vigilant 
worshipper  througli  the  frailty  of  nature  may 
be  sometimes  overtaken,  but  can  we  suppose 
that  they  who  habitually  sleep  in  the  house  of 
God  are  under  the  influence  of  a  gracious 
frame  ?  Can  they  feel  those  grateful,  eleva- 
ted emotions  vrhich  transported  the  bosom  of 
the  Patriarch  when  he  exclaims,  *'  how  dread- 
ful is  this  place,"  or  of  David  when  he  de- 
voutly acknowledges,  "  blessed  are  they  that 
dwell  in  thy  house,  they  will  be  still  praising 
thee  :  I  would  rather  be  a  door  keeper  in  the 
house  of  m}^  God  than  to  dwell  in  the  tents  of 
v.'ickedness."  Is  it  probable  that  a  man  who 
is  hungry  will  fall  asleep  over  a  table  replen- 
ished with  nourishing  food,  or  that  he  who  is 
ready  to  famish  with  thirst  will  drop  asleep 
by  the  coolings  refreshing  fountain,  or  can  he 
who  truly  hungers,  and  thirsts  after  righteous- 
ness fall  asleep  in  the  sanctuary  where  Jesus 
the  living  bread  is  offered,  and  rivers  of  conso- 
laiion  are  flowing  ?  Others  again  arcjcasily  di- 
verted amidst  the  solemnities  of  public  wor- 
ship ;  their  fancie-s  are  amused  by  every  tri- 
fling incident.  Any  thing  awkward  in  tlie 
dress,  or  deportment  of  those  around  them 
will  attract  their  attention,  and  steal  away 
their  thoughts  from  the  dread  realitiesof  death, 
and  judgment,  and  eternity.  We  ought  thus 
to  *'  take  heed  how  we  hear,''  by  keeping  our 
hearts  with  aJl  diligence  while  we  attend  this 
ordiiuvnce  of  the  Living  God  ;  we  ought  to 
?«m  at.  shaking  oif  a  slothful,  drowsy  disposi- 


276  Sermoft  11. 

tion  on  the  one  hand,  and  at  watching  against 
every  appearance  of  irreverence  and  levity  on 
the  other.  *'  Sanctify  the  Lord  God  of  hosts 
in  your  hearts  ;  let  him  be  your  fear,  and  let 
him  be  your  dread." 

3.  We  ought  to  **  take  heed*'  after  we  have 
retired  from  the  sanctuary  by  reflecting  upon, 
and    improving  the    truths    which    we  have 
heard.     That  hearer  is  greatly  mistaken  who 
iinagines  that   his  duty  is  discharged,  when 
the  sermon  is  finished,   and  the  congregation 
dismissed.        The    husbandman     does    not 
consider  his  labor  as  ended  when  the  seed  is 
thrown  upon  the  earth  ;   he  is  careful  to  cover 
it  over  with  the  kindly  soil,  and  thus  secure  it 
from  the  scorching  influence  of  the  sun  ;  he 
fences  it  around,  and  thus  protects  it  from  the 
beasts  of  the  field  which  might  devour  it ;  he 
examines  occasionally  whether  the  seed  is  ta- 
king root,  and  if  it  perishes  in  the  earth  he  is 
anxious  to  discover  the  cause  ;  he  frequently 
notices  its   progress  after  it  starts  above  the 
earth,  and  longs  for  its  perfection  in  autumn. 
Thus  eager  ought  the  hearer  of  the  word  to 
be,  nay,  much  more  eager,  because  interests 
inconceivably   greater  are  depending  :  If  the 
word  of  truth  has  no  eflicacy  upon  his  heart ; 
if  it  is  not  instrumental  in  producing  the  fruits 
of  humility  and  holiness,  he  not  only  loses  his 
own  soul,  but  the   very   means  of  salvation 
which  he  enjoyed   will  issue  in  the  aggrava- 
tion both  of  his  guilt,   and  torment.     It  be- 
comes  us  therefore  as  we  depart  from  the 


Sermon  II.  277 

place  of  public  worship  to  be  revolving  in  our 
minds  the  truths  which   we  have  heard  ;  to 
realize  our  deep,  everlasting  concern  in  them, 
to  commit  them  by  frequent,  fervent  prayer  to 
that  spirit  of  all  grace,  who  can  bring  them  to 
our  remembrance  when  necessary,  and  make 
them  effectual  to  our  salvation  :    *'  The  hny 
of  the  Lord  is  perfect   converting  the  soul  ; 
the  testimonies  of  the  Lord  are  sure  making 
wise  the  simple,  the  statutes  of  the  Lord  arc 
right,   rejoicing  the  heart.'*     It  becomes  us 
occasionally  to  enquire  whether  it  has  this  en^ 
lightening,  purifving,  and  elevating  influence 
on  our  hearts  ;  whether  under  the  institutions 
of  the  sanctuary  from  sabbath  to  sabbath,  we 
are  becoming   more  humble,  more  holy,  and 
heavenly  in  our  thoughts  and  conversation  ; 
whether  by  the  holy   fire   from  the   altar  our 
hearts  are  gradually  more  enflamed  with  love 
to  God,  and  good  will  to  all  men.     I  have  ei- 
ther read  or  heard  of  a  pious  woman  who,  be- 
ing   questioned  what  she  recollected   of  the 
sermon,  replied  she  could  not  repeat  much  of 
it,  but  was  confident  that  she  loved  the  Sa- 
viour  more  than  when   she    went.     Thus  a 
heart  sensibly  melted  by  the  influence  of  re- 
deeminglove;  inoulded  mioihit  image  of  Jesus 
and  longing  for  his  commimion  is  a  most  bles- 
sed effect  of  the  gospel  preached  ;  this  is  a 
thousand  times  more  important  than  all  clear- 
ness of  the  head  in  knowing  his  doctrine,  or 
all  fluency  of  the  tongue  in  talking  about  it. 
This  was  the  happy  effect  of  Paul's  preaching 


2TS  Sermon  11. 

on  the  inhabitants  of  Thessalonica.  *' Ye  know 
what  manner  of  entrance  we  had  unto  you  and 
liow  ve  turned  from  idols  to  serve  the  Hvine 
God,  and  to  wait  for  his  Son  from  heaven,  e- 
ven  Jesus  which  delivered  us  from  the  wrath 
to  come."  It  therefore  becomes  all  careful- 
ly to  take  heed  after  they  have  returned  from 
the  house  of  God;  to  be  la}  ing  up  his  truth 
in  their  hearts,  frequently  pondering  upon  it, 
and  practising  it  in  their  lives.  We  are  thus 
admonished  to  **  give  the  more  earnest  heed 
to  the  things  v>hich  are  spoken  lest  at  any 
lime  we  should  let  them  slip  ;'  and  it  is  wor- 
thy of  remark  that  among  the  three  classes 
5i:ientioned  in  the  parable  to  whom  the  word 
preached  was  ineffectual,  it  was  lost  by  their 
want  of  attention  after  it  was  heard.  "  One 
received  it  by  the  wa}^  side,''  permitted  it  to 
lie  exposed  on  the  surface,  and  '*  the  fowls  of 
the  air  carne  and  carried  it  away  ;''  they  were 
iiot  careful  to  treasure  it  up  in  their  memories, 
and  to  be  often  revolving  it  as  the  "  joy  and 
rejoicing  of  their' hearts  :  Another  received  it 
among  thorns,  and  these  afterwards  springing 
up  choakcd  it ;  the  cares  of  this  world,  the  de- 
ceitfulntss  of  riches,  and  the  desires  of  other 
things"  occupied  that  place  in  the  heart  to 
which  divine  truth  was  entitled,  and  prevent- 
ed it  from  producing  any  saving  effect  :  "  A 
third  received  the  seed  in  stony  places;"  and 
although  it  appeared  promising  for  a  season, 
yet  afterwards  the  sun  arose  with  its  scorch- 
ing influence  and   **  the  blade  which  had  ap- 


Sermon  11.  279 

peared  for  a  little  withered  away  :''  perse cu- 
tion  arose  because  of  the  word,  and  these 
hearers  not  beins^  firmly  established  in  the 
faith,  '*  not  deeply  rooted  and  grounded  in 
love,"  apostatized  from  their  holy  profession. 

From  this  doctrine  thus  explained  we  may 
infer 

1.  That  to  improve  tlie  dispensation  of 
the  word  in  a  suitable,  profitable  manner  is 
not  merely  an  important,  but  an  arduous  at- 
tainment. It  requires  little  exertion  to  ''  make 
clean  the  outside,"  to  dress  the  body  in  a 
manner  decent  and  respectable  ;  to  go  the 
distance  of  a  few  miles  to  the  place  of  public 
worship  ;  to  conduct  with  outward  propriety 
and  appear  decent  in  the  estimation  of  our 
fellow  worshippers,  but  deeply  to  interest  the 
heart,  and  prepare  it  by  meditation  and  pray- 
er for  the  reception  of  divine  truth  ;  to  keep 
it  ardently  awake,  and  solemnized,  and  im- 
pressed with  the  importance  of  the  exercise  ; 
to  sit  in  the  sanctuary  with  all  the  simplicity 
of  little  children,  and  receive  every  truth  not 
as  the  word  of  man  but  of  the  Living  God  ; 
to  comprehend  it  in  our  understandings,  to 
treasure  it  carefully  in  our  memories,  to  con- 
duct agreeably  to  its  dictates  in  all  our  inter- 
course both  with  God,  and  the  world  ;  to  be 
constrained  by  its  influence  to  discharge  with 
strict  conscientiousness  every  duty  which  we 
owe  to  our  Creator,  our  Redeemer,  ourselves, 
and  our  brethren  of  mankind,  to  make  this 
improvement  of  the  word  which  we  hear  is 


280  &crmon  11. 

110  ordinaiy,  nor  easy  attainment.  And  it  is 
certainly  a  very  alarming  consideration  that 
among  four  classes  of  hearers  enumerated  in 
the  parable  of  the  sower,  there  was  only  one 
class  which  heard  it  to  the  glory  of  God,  and 
their  own  eternal  advantage.  Some  are  re* 
presented  as  ''  hearing  the  word  of  the  king- 
i.\om  but  not  understanding  it  ;"  they  do  not 
duly  realise  its  value  ;  they  are  not  careful  to 
digest  it  in  their  own  minds,  and  *'  the  wick- 
ed one  Cometh,  and  taketh  away  that  which 
was  sown  in  their  hearts  :"  Others  upon  hear- 
ing  the  word  '*  receive  it  with  a  momentary 
joy  ;''  they  feel  some  flashes  of  ailection,  they 
form  some  resolutions  of  turning  to  the  Liv- 
ing God,  but  these  impressions  not  being 
founded  on  solid  conviction  are  of  short  du- 
ration *'  for  Vvhen  tribulation  or  persecution 
arise  because  of  the  v/ord  they  are  offended  :" 
they  love  the  praise  of  man  more  than  the 
glory  of  God,  or  prefer  their  present  ease, 
and  interest  to  their  everlasting  salvation.  A 
third  class  hears  the  word,  attends  on  the 
service  of  the  church,  '^  but  the  cares  of  this 
world,  the  deceitfulness  of  riches,  and  the 
desires  of  other  things  destroy  its  efficacy^ 
and  they  remain  unfruitful  ;  they  are  so  oc- 
cupied with  the  business  of  the  world,  and  a- 
gituted  with  the  concerns  of  the  world  that 
they  rarely  have  leisure  for  reflecting  on  these 
truths ;  neither  do  they  rejoice  in  them  as  the 
charter  of  their  future  hopes  :  Only  one  class 
receives  it  with  due  aflectionj  and  improve  it 


Sermo7i  11.  281 

as  "  the  wisdom  of  God,  and   the   power  of 
God  for  salvation."    Ought  not  this  consider- 
ation to    rouse  the    attention  of  every  hearer 
of  the  gospel  ?  Although  the  parables  are  not 
to  be  interpreted  in  a  sense  strictly  literal,  yet 
there  is  generally   a    very    near  analogy    be- 
tween the   representation   which  they    make, 
and  the  moral  to  be  drawn  from  them.     Is  it 
not  therefore  aa  affecting  thought  that  of  the 
multitude    who  attend   the  administration  of 
the  word  such  a  small  proportion  are  saving- 
ly profited  ?  One  is  perhaps  in  the  sanctuary 
on  the  sabbath,  and'is  a  slave  to  sensual  gra- 
tifications through  the   week,  fuUilling  upon 
every    opportunity  *'  the  desires  of  the  flesh, 
and  of   the  mind  ;"  living  in  carnal  pleasure 
and  thus  morally   dead  although  naturally  a- 
live.     Anothfr\vho  is  taught  in  the  temple 
that  we  cannot  serve  God  and  mammon  ;  that 
if  any  man  love  this  world  the  love  of  the  Fa- 
ther is  not  in  him,'"  and  yet  from  his  conduct 
and  conversation  we  are  obliged  to  conclude 
that  God  is  scarcely  in  all  his  thaughts  ;  that 
the    present  \vorld  occupies  the  tbroiie  both 
in  his  esteem,  and  aifecrions  :   Another  hears 
in  the  sanctuary  that  a  **  man   is  not  {jrouted 
should  he  gain  the  whole  world,  aiid  lose  his 
own   soul,''  he  is  urged  to    ''  seek  first  the 
kingdom  of  God,  and  the  righteousness  there- 
of; to  strive  that  he  may  enter  in  at  the  strait 
gate,  yet  how   few  cf  his  moments  are  em- 
ployed through  the  u'cek  in  "  searching  the 
scriptures  which  make  wise  unto  salvation  j'*  iii 
z2 


282  Sermon  11. 

supplication  to  God  Tor  the  assurances  of  his 
love,  for  satisfactory  evidences  of  his  pardon, 
and  adoption,  and  a  title  to  eternal  glory  ;  for 
the  encrease  of  "  that  faith  which  worketh  by 
love,  which  purifies  the  heart,  and  overcomts 
the  world  ;"  or  in  self-examination,  impar- 
tially trying  whether  he  possesses  the  marks 
of  '*  that  washing  of  regeneration,  that  re- 
newing of  the  Holy  Ghost,  without  which 
110  man  shall  see  the  Lord." 

Beloved  brethren,  many  of  you  have  sat 
long  under  the  dispensation  of  the  gospel  ; 
the  celestial  light  has  shone  clearly  around 
you,  and  the  voice  of  mercy  has  addressed 
you  again,  and  again.  Jehovah  in  his  infi- 
nite forbearance  has  borne  with  you  ten  or 
twenty,  or  thirty,  or  forty  years:  During 
this  long  tract  of  tin^.e  you  have  breathed  as  it- 
were  in  an  atmosphere  of  religion  by  enjoying 
the  privileges  of  the  sabbath  and  sanctuary, 
but  how  have  you  heard  ?  What  change  has 
the  word  preached  produced  on  your  hearts, 
and  lives  f  Are  you  more  conscientious  in  the 
discharge  of  every  duty  v/hich  is  incumbent 
upon  you  in  all  the  relations  of  life  ?  By  the 
influence  of  the  word  are  you  rendered  m.ore 
fervent  in  prayer,  more  charitable  to  the  poor, 
more  forgiving  to  those  who  injure  you,  more 
temperate  in  all  things,  more  watchful  over 
vour  ow^n  hearts,  and  words  and  actions,  en- 
deavoring that  all  be  regulated  by  the  infalli- 
ble standard  of  divine  truth  ?  Are  you  inclin- 
ed by  it  to  live  more  habitually  under  im- 


Sermon  11,  28S 

pressions  of  the  flcetinc^,  unsatisfying  nature 
of  every  thing  earthly  ;  more  frequently  to  re- 
alise the  hour  of  death  when  you  m-jstpart 
forever  with  this  world  and  its  pleasures  and 
profits,  to  reflect  more  habitually  on  a  "judg- 
ment to  come''  when  3  ou  must  render  a  mi- 
nute, impartial  account  of  your  conduct,  and 
be  adjudged  unalterably  either  to  heaven  or 
to  hell  ?  How  often  by  the  ministry  of  the 
word  has  the  Son  of  God,  the  Saviour  of  the 
world,  been  expostulating,  "  behold  I  stand 
at  the  door  and  knock,"  but  have  you  cordi- 
ally admitted  him  ;  are  you  supremely  rejoic« 
ing  in  him  as  your  only  salvation  and  glory  ? 

Are  fhere  some  of  you  who  cannot  answer' 
tliese  enquiries  in  the  affimative  ?  Are  30U 
conscious  that  "  the  w-ord  preached  has  not 
materially  profited  ;"  that  it  has  not  imparted 
any  saving  light  to  your  understandings,  nor 
holiness  nor  comfort  to  your  hearts  ?  Are  you 
sensible  of  the  danger  of  neglecting  ihQ  great 
salvation,  and  would  you  from  this  time  at- 
tend with  greater  diligence  to  the  things 
which  belong  to  your  peace  ?  Then  affection- 
ately would  I  cherish  those  resolutions,  and 
offer  you  the  following  directions. 

1.  Embrace  with  ardent  solicitude  every" 
opportunity  of  hearing  the  word  preached  : 
Let  not  the  suggestions  of  carnal  ease,  or  any 
other  consideration  tempt  you  to  neglect  this 
ordinance  appointed  by  Jehovah  for  your  in- 
struction, and  salvation.  "  Faith  cometh  by 
hearing,  and  hearing  by  the  word  of  God.'' 


^S4  Sermon  II. 

The  word  delivered  in  simplicity  and  purit}^ 
has  pi  oved  to  souls  without  number  the  dawn 
of  heaven,  the  commencement  of  never  end- 
ing glorv.  *'  Born,"  says  the  apostle  Peter, 
"  not  of  corruptible  seed,  but  of  incorruptible, 
by  the  word  of  God  which  liveth  and  abideth 
forever  ;  and  this  is  the  word  which  by  the 
gospel  is  preached  unto  you.''  Although  the 
^'  wind  bloweth  where  it  listeth,  yet  it  is  in 
the  use  of  means  that  its  enlivening  influences 
may  be  confidently  expected,  and  are  usually 
felt.  While  Ezekiel  prophesied^  the  breath 
of  the  Lord  came  upon  the  dry  bones  in  the 
valley  of  vision,  the  regenerating  power  of  the 
Holy  Ghost  was  imparted,  and  "  they  lived 
and  stood  up  an  exceeding  great  army,*' 

2.  When  you  are  seated  in  the  sanctuary 
of  God  let  nothing  divert  your  attention  from 
the  things  which  are  spoken  ;  consider  that 
you  are  hearing  for  your  souls,  for  judgment, 
for  eternity,  and  that  you  are  unspeakably,  in- 
finitely interested  in  the  message.  The  ora« 
cles  of  the  Living  God  will  not,  cannot  be 
"without  an  important  effect.  If  this  lamp 
which  came  down  from  heaven  does  not  lead 
you  to  holiness  and  heaven,  it  will  serve  to- 
lead  you  deeper  and  deeper  hito  the  regions 
of  never  ending  torment .  Every  sernion  mis- 
improved  will  add  to  the  fury  of  the  liamcs, 
and  the  venom  of  the  tormenting  worm.  A 
Divine  of  a  foreign  country,  and  former  age 
remarks,  *'  if  the  word  is  not  effectual  for  your 
conversion  it  will  be  effectual  for  your  cou=. 


Sermon  11.  285 

deriiiiation  ;  if  it  does  not  make  your  hearts 
better  it  will  render  your  chains  heavier,  and 
your  hell  hotter  :   Dreadful  is  their  condition 
who  go  down  ta  perdition  ladened  with  ser- 
mons."    Are  these  things  real,  widi  what  so- 
lemnity should   we  sit  under  the  ministry  of 
reconciliation  ?  How  should  we  listen  to  all 
that  is  spoken,  as  a  patient  listens  to  the  pre- 
scriptions of  his   physician,  or  as  a  criminal 
would  listen  to  the  sentence  of  pardon  an- 
nounced by  the  lips  of  his  Prince  :  Such  was 
the  conduct  of  Cornelius  while  the  word  of 
life  was  spoken  by  Peter.     *^  We  are  all  here 
present   before  God  to  hear  all  things  which 
are  commanded  thee  of  God  :"  And  Paul  re- 
lates of  the  Bereans,  "  that  they  were  more 
iiobie  than  those  in  Thessalonica  in  that  they 
received  the  word  with  ail  readiness  of  mind, 
and   searched  the    scriptures   daily   whether 
those   things  were   so.'*     And  while  we  are 
hearing  we  ought  to  look  by  prayer  to  the  life- 
giving  Spirit  that  he  would  clothe  it  with  aK 
mighty  energy  upon  our  hearts  ;  "  that  the 
eyes  of  our  understandings  being  enlightened 
we  might  know  what  is  the  hope  of  his  call- 
ing, and  what  the  riches  of  the  glory  of  his 
inheritance  among  the  saints.'* 

3.  Be  careful  to  improve  the  message  of 
life  after  you  have  heard  it.  As  many  ser- 
mons are  lost  by  being  heard  without  previ=> 
ous  preparation,  many  are  probably  lost  by 
being  carelessly  forgotten  afterwards.  The 
incQrruptibU  sesdMi  on  the  surface  of  the  soul 


^S6  Sermon  11. 

almost  necessarily  perishes  ;  it  neither  takes 
root  in  the  heart,  nor  springs  up  in  the  life  ; 
it  is  not  covered  over,  if  the  expression  be  al- 
lowed, by  frequent  and  devout  meditation  ; 
it  is  not  committed  by  prayer  to  him  who  can 
visit  it  with  the  fostering  sun,  and  the  refresh- 
ing showers,  and  therefore  remains  v»athout 
fruit.  If  under  the  w^ord  preached  you  have 
experienced  any  convictions  of  sin  ;  any  joy 
and  peace  through  a  knowledge  of  the  Sa- 
viour ;  any  secret  desires  to  walk  hereafter 
more  intimately  with  him,  and  to  live  more 
exclusively  for  him, see  that  these  impressions 
be  retained,  and  cherished  :  They  are  at  least 
the  common  operations  of  the  spirit,  and  it  is 
dangerous  in  the  extreme  to  resist,  or  neglect 
them.  If  you  deliberately  give  yourselves  up 
to  carnal  indolence  or  indifference,  he  may  de- 
part from  you  never  to  alarm  or  entreat  with 
you  any  more.  Be  occasionally  repeating  the 
truths  which  you  hear  to  others  around  you. 
This  will  be  a  mean  of  impressing  them  more 
deeply  upon  your  own  minds,  and  rendering 
them  more  permanently  profitable  to  you. — 
"  While  they  that  feared  the  Lord  spake  often 
one  to  another,  the  Lord  hearkened  and  heard 
them,  and  they  shall  be  mine,  saith  the  Lord 
of  hosts,  hi  that  day  when  I  makeXip  my  jew- 
els." Thus  we  ought  to  give  the  more  earn- 
est heed  to  the  things  which  wx  have  heard, 
lest  at  any  time  we  let  them  slip. 

Those  also  to   w^hose   hearts  the  word  has 
been  effectual  both  for  conviction  and  conver- 


Sermon  11.  287 

slon  may  receive  admonition  from  this  pas- 
sage.    The  word  preached  is  designed  *'  for 
the  perfecting  of  the  saints — until  we  all  come 
to  the  unity  of  the  faith,  and  of  the  knowledge 
of  the  Son  of  God,"  is  such  its  blessed  effica- 
cy upon  your  hearts  ?  Through  its  enlighten- 
ing, and  enlivening  influence  do  you  aim  at 
*'  adding  to  your  faith  virtue,    and    to    your 
virtue  knowledge,  and   to   your   knowledge 
brotherly    kindness,    and  to   your    brotherly 
kindness  charity,  and  thus  become  changed 
into  the  divine  image  from  glory  to  glory  ? 
Are  there  precious  occasions  when  you  feel 
the  power  and  see  the  glory  of  your  God  in 
the  sanctuary,  and  are  elevated  in  some  de- 
gree above  the  cares  and  tumults  of  this  vain, 
fluctuating  earth  ?  When  you  hear  of  the  Sa- 
viour's love  to  our  world,  and  to  you  in  par- 
ticular, and  of  that  salvation  which  he  accom- 
plished at  an  infinite  expence,  do  your  hearts 
sensibly  expand,  and  glow  with  love  to  him  ? 
Are  you  melted  into  deep  contrition  for  the  im- 
perfection of  your  past  lives,  and  secretly  re- 
solving to  love  him  more  ardently,  and  serve 
him  more  perfectly  in  the  time  to  come?  Soar- 
ing on  the  wings  of  faith,  and  hope,  and  joy, 
are  you  longing  for  that  world  where  you  shall 
see  him  without  a  vail ;  where  you  shall  enjoy 
him  without    a  moment's   interruption,  and 
praise  him  without  a  faultering  voice,  or  wan- 
dering thought  forever  ?  Has  the   gospel  al- 
ready had  this  purifying,  enlivening  influence 
upon  your  hearts,  adore  Jehovah  for  what  you 


286  Sermon  11. 

have  experienced  of  his  grace  ;  pray  fervent- 
ly to  him  that  he   would  impart   still  greater 
efficacy  to  his  most  blessed  word,  ''  enabling 
you  to  abound  more  constantly  in  hope  by  the 
power  of  the   Holy  Ghost/'     Alas,  how  far 
do  even  the   generation   of  the  righteous  fall 
short  of  their  duty  in  taking  heed  how  they 
hear  ?  Are  there  not  many  sermons,  many 
cautions  against  temptation,    many  admoni- 
tions   to  duty,   m.any  arguments    for  loving 
God,  and  pressing  on  towards  perfection,  of 
which  they  can  give  little  account  ?  They  go 
from  the  services  of  the  church  to  their  farms, 
or  their  merchandize,   and  the   impressions 
produced   by  the  word  preached  cW^  transient 
*'  as  the  morning  cloud,  and  the  early  dew." 
Beloved  brethren,  shake  off  this  slothful  frame 
as  equally  your  reproach  and  your  loss,  and 
strive  at  becoming  "  fervent  in  spirit*'  under 
the  means  which  you  enjoy.     We  receive  not 
because  we  ask  not ;  we  rarely  feel  the  ener- 
gies of  divine   grace  co  operating  with  the 
word,  rendering  it  quick  and  powerful  for  in- 
struction and  enlargement,  because  we  rarely 
and  languidly  ask  them  :  Like  Moses  were 
we  often  supplicating   *'  Lord,  shew  me  thy 
glory  ;  if  thy  presence  go  not  with  me  carry 
me  not  up  hence  ;  or  with  David,  **  open  thou 
mine  eyes  that  I  may  behold  wondrous  things 
out  of  thy  law,"  or  with  the  patriarch  Jacob, 
"  I  will  not  let  thee  go  without  the  blessing," 
how  delightful  and  profitable  would  the  ordi- 
nances of  religion  become  to  us  ?  The  sane- 


Sermon  12.  289 

cuary  below  would  appear  from  sabbath  to 
sabbath  a  lively  emblem  of  the  sanctuary  a- 
bove  ;  upon  every  occasion  that  we  attend 
the  tabernacles  of  divine  grace  we  should  be 
ready  to  conclude  with  the  disciples  on  the 
mount  of  transfiguration,  '*  It  is  good  to  be 
here :  Blessed  are  they  that  dwell  in  thy  house, 
they  will  be  still  praising  thee." 

Now  the  God  of  peace  that  brought  again 
from  the  dead  our  Lord  Jesus,  that  great  Shep- 
herd of  the  sheep,  through  the  blood  of  the 
everlasting  covenant,  make  you  perfect  in  e- 
very  good  work  to  do  his  will,  working  in  you 
that  which  is  well  pleasing  in  his  sight  through 
Jesus  Christ,  to  whom  be  glory  for  ever  and 
ever.     Amen. 


SERMON  XIL 


PROVERBS,    XXIII,     13. 

Be  thou  in  the  fear  ofthe  Lord  all  the   day 
lo?ig, 
FEAR  is  a  passion  deeply  implanted 
in  the  bosom  of  man  ;  and  through  its  influ- 
ence we  are  naturally  impelled  to  flee    from 
danger  whether  real  or  imaginary.     Fear,  as 
mentioned  by  the  inspired  writers,  sometimes 
signifies   that  secret  dread    or  horror  which 
rends  the  heart  of  the  ungodly   under  a  con- 
viction of  guilt  and  apprehension  of  wrath. 
"  There  is  no  fear  in  love,''  says  the  cvange- 
2    A 


290  Sermon  12. 

list,  *' but  perfect  love  casteth  out  fear ;  be- 
cause fear  hath  torment  :"  and  as  Paul 
*'  reasorxccl  of  righteousness,  temperance,  and 
judgment  to  come,"  Felix  i'e  a  red  or  trembled. 
Sometimes  it  expresses  that  cordial  subjection 
which  the  child  of  adoption  feels  to  his  hea- 
venly Father  and  may  therefore  be  defined  a 
gracious  principle  produced  by  the  Holy- 
Ghost,  through  the  influence. of  which  we  are 
inclined  to  revere  the  authority  of  God,  and 
observe  all  his  commandments.  '*  I  v»'ill  put 
my  fear  in  their  hearts,  and  they  shall  not  de- 
part from  me.*'  Through  the  constraining 
influence  of  this  aft^ction  David  exclaims, 
*'  my  flesh  trembleth  for  fear  of  thee,  and  I  am 
afraid  of  thy  righteous  judgments." 

But  the  term  /ear  frequently  comprehends 
the  whole  of  practical  Godliness  ;  all  that  es- 
teem, and  affection,  and  adoration  which  we 
owe  as  creatures  to  our  Creator,  and  as  ran- 
somed sinners  to  our  Redeemer.  *'  The  fear 
of  Jehovah  is  the  beginning  of  wisdom.  Let 
us  hear  the  conclusion  of  the  whole  matter; 
fear  God  and  keep  his  commandments  for  this 
is  the  whole  duty  of  man  :  For  God  shall 
brir.g  every  work  into  judgment,  with  every 
secret  thing  whether  it  be  good,  or  whether 
it  be  evil." 

The  duties  enumerated  in  the  preceding 
discourses  were  generally  of  a  stated  nature, 
and  to  each  of  them  u'e  ought  regularly  to  at- 
tend in  their  proper  season,  imitating  the  ex^ 
ample  of  that  illustrious  pair  whose  history 
was   already    considered    by  "  walking"  in  all. 


Sermon  12.  291 

the  commandments  and  ordinances  of  the 
Lord'*  But  our  religion  ought  not  to  be  mere- 
ly occasional,  or  confined  to  the  devotions  of 
the  closet,  and  famil_v,  and  sanctuar3\  A 
filial  fear  of  God,  an  ardent  love  to  him,  im- 
pressions of  our  necessary  dependance  on  his 
providence,  and  of  our  obligations  to  live  to 
his  glory  should  possess  the  dominion  of  our 
hearts  at  all  times  and  amidst  all  circum- 
stances, vvhether  v/e  are  actively  occupied  in 
the  business  of  the  world,  or  allowing  our- 
selves in  what  is  usually  considered  its  inno- 
cent amusements.  Our  whole  lives  should 
thus  be  a  continued  act  of  homage  to  our  Cre- 
ator and  Lord.  To  cultivate  this  habitual  de- 
rolion  of  spirit  is  the  design  of  the  present 
discourse,  and  we  shall  therefore  endeavor  to 
consider — 

I.  The  import  of  the  admonition,  be  thou 
in  the /ear  of  the  Lord  all  the  day  long, 

II.  The  advantages  attending  this  habitual 
reverence  or  devotion  of  spirit,  and 

III.  Enumerate  the  means  most  happily 
calculated  for  promoting  it. 

Our  intention  is  first,  to  explain  the  nature 
of  the  admonition,  *'bc  thou  in  the  fear  of  the 
Lord  all  the  day  long.' 

1.  It  implietj  constant  and  profound  im- 
pressions of  the  divine  immensity  and  pre- 
sence. Jehovah  is  a  being  possessed  of  all 
possible  excellence  and  glory  ;  he  is  infinite 
in  every  perfection  of  his  nature,  **  in  his  wis- 
dom, his  power,  his  holiness,  his  justice,  his 


292  Sermon  12. 

goodness  and  truth.''  Every  name,  every  ti- 
tle, every  attribute  which  can  command  our 
reverence  and  inspire  our  devotion  is  ascribed 
to  him  in  the  sacred  oracles.  He  is  entitled 
*'  the  King  Eternal,  Imm.ortal,  and  Invisible  ; 
the  blessed  and  only  Potentate,  the  King  of 
kings  and  Lord  of  lords  ;  who  only  hath  im- 
mortality, dwelling  in  the  light  which  no  man 
can  approach  unto  ;  which  no  man  hath  seen 
nor  can  see  ;  to  whom  belong  honor  and  pow- 
er everlasting.'  All  that  is  great,  all  that  is 
glorious  throughout  creation  is  only  a  ray 
from  this  sun  ;  is  only  a  drop  from  this  ocean  ; 
it  is  mere  darkness  compared  with  the  efful- 
gence of  that  glory  which  dwells  in  c  reation's 
Lord.  *'  Who  in  heaven  may  be  compaied 
to  Jehovah  ?  And  who  among  the  sons  of  the 
mighty  may  be  likened  to  our  God  ? '  Yet 
possessing  all  this  majesty  and  glory,  he  is 
ever  near,  ever  present  j  his  arm  supports, 
and  his  eye  surveys  creation  with  all  its  inha- 
bitants ;  every  thought,  and  word,  and  action, 
of  all  his  creatures,  at  all  times,  and  in  all  pla- 
ces, are  perfectly  open  to  his  omniscient  view, 
"  The  eyes  of  the  Lord  are  in  everyplace  be- 
holding the  evil  and  the  good.  Am  I  a  God 
at  hand,  saith  the  Lord,  and  not  a  God  afar 
off  ?  Can  any  hide  himself  in  secret  places 
that  I  shall  not  see  him,  saith  the  Lord  ;  do 
I  not  fill  heaven  and  earth,  saith  the  Lord  ?" 
The  soul  may  be  considered  as  fearing  Jeho- 
vah when  it  entertains  becoming  conceptions 
of  his  being  and  immensity  :   when  it  is  uni- 


Senmn  12.  293 

forrniy  filled  with  devout,  adoring  thoughts  of 
him  as  the  perfection  of  excellence  and  glory  ; 
when  it  mentions  his  name  or  approaches  him 
in  acts  ,of  devotion  with  the  most  profound 
humiliation  and  reverence.  Such  appears  to 
have  been  the  impression  of  David  when  he 
thus  devoutly  exclaims,  ''  O  Lord,  thou  hast 
searched  mc  and  known  me  ;  thou  knowest 
my  down  sitting  and  mine  uprising  ;  thou  un- 
derstandest  my  thoughts  afar  off;  thou  com- 
passest  my  path  and  my  lying  down  and  art 
acquainted  with  all  my  ways.  Whither  shall 
I  go  from  thy  spirit  ?  Or  whither  shall  I  flee 
from  thy  presence  ?  If  I  ascend  up  into  hea- 
ven thou  art  there  ;  if  I  make  my  bed  in 
hell,  behold!  thou  art  there;  if  I  take  the  wings 
of  the  morning  and  dwell  in  the  uttermost 
parts  of  the  sea  ;  evew  there  shall  thy  hand 
lead  me,  and  thy  right  hand  shall  hold  me." 
2.  Tiiis  admonition  implies  a  cordial  con- 
cern for  the  approbation  of  God  ;  an  unfeign- 
ed desire  to  perform  what  he  requires,  and  to- 
avoid  whatever  might  displease  or  dishonor 
him.  Actuated  by  this  holy  fear,  the  child 
of  adoption  will  endeavor  in  all  things  to  re- 
commend himself  to  the  acceptance  of  his  hea- 
venly Father;  he  will  '*  exercise'^  himself, 
like  the  apostle,  *'  to  have  always  a  consci- 
ence void  of  offence  toward  God  and  toward 
man."  The  cold,  formal  professor  is  influen- 
ced principally  by  the  opinions  of  the  world  ; 
he  is  concerned  chiefly  about  "  the  outside  of 
the  cup  and  platter ;"  if  that  be  unspotted, 
2   a2 


294  Sermon  12. 

if  he  can  so  conduct  as  to  secure  the  esteem 
and  applause  of  men,  his  highest  wishes  are 
gratified  :  he  aspires  after  no  other  or  nobler 
object;  but  essentially  different  and  infinite- 
ly more  exalted  is  "  the  fear  of  the  Lord''  re- 
commended in  the  text  :  It  directs  us  to 
court  not  the  applause  of  mortals,  but  the  ap- 
probation of  heaven  ;  to  abhor  and  avoid  sin 
not  as  reproachful  in  the  esteem  of  man,  but 
as  grieving  and  dishonoring  ton  gracious  God. 
This  filial  fear  nobly  impressed  the  bosom  of 
Joseph  and  supportedhim  in  thehour  of  temp- 
tation, ''  how  can  I  do  this  great  wickedness 
and  sin  against  God  ? '  Mark  the  principle  by 
which  he  was  actuated  and  inclined  to  resist 
the  solicitation — Was  it  an  apprehension  that 
he  might  be  degraded  in  the  court  of  Pha- 
roah  ?  Was  it  a  fear  that  his  character  might 
suffer  reproach,  or  his  name  be  mentioned 
with  abhorrence  by  future  generations  ? — Al- 
though these  consequences  would  have  pro- 
bably attended  the  commission  of  the  crime, 
yet  they  were  inconsiderable  compared  with 
the  dishonor  done  to  his  great  Creator.  **  Sin 
against  God  ;"  defy  that  arm  which  supports 
me  from  hour  to  hour  ;  trample  on  that  boun- 
ty which  supplies  each  returning  want ;  abuse 
that  forbearance,  that  long-suffering  which 
spares  me  amidst  ten  thousand  provocations ; 
forfeit  that  favor  which  is  life,  and  incur  that 
displeasure  which  is  more  dreadful  than  death  ! 
'J'he  christian,  under  the  influence  of  this 
child-like  disposition,  is  ashamed  and  afraid 


Sermon  12.  295 

to  cherish  a  thought  secretly  in  his  heart, 
which  he  would  be  ashamed  or  afraid  to  com- 
mit openly  in  the  eyes  of  the  world  ;  he  will 
be  disposed  with  **  the  sweet  singer  of  Israel ' 
earnestly  to  supplicate,  **  search  me,  O  God, 
and  know  my  heart ;  try  me  and  know  my 
thoughts  ;  and  see  if  there  be  any  wicked  way 
in  me,  and  lead  me  in  the  way  everlasting  ; 
cleanse  thou  me  from  secret  faults  ;  keep 
back  thy  servant  also  from  presumptuous 
sins  ;  let  them  not  have  dominion  over  me  : 
then  shall  I  be  upright  and  I  shall  be  innocent 
from  the  great  transgression." 

3.  This  admonition  implies  a  concern  to 
•honor  God  in  the  various  exercises  and  en- 
joyments of  the  day  :  *'  Man's  chief  end  is  to 
glorify  God,''  and  this  we  should  aim  at  pro- 
moting not  only  in  the  employments,  but  e- 
ven  in  the  amusements  of  life  ;  in  all  our  in- 
tercourse with  the  world  no  less  than  in  the 
more  immediate  duties  of  religion.  Do  we 
allow  ourselves  moments  for  amusement  or 
recreation,  it  should  be  with  this  design,  that 
our  bodies  might  be  relaxed,  our  spirits  re- 
freshed, and  we  thus  refitted  for  the  service 
of  Jehovah.  Do  we  indulge  ourselves  in  the 
lawful  pleasures  of  life,  in  eating  and  drink- 
ing and  sleeping  :  these  indulgencies  ought 
to  be  allowed  not  merely  to  satisfy  our  animal 
appetites,  but  that  in  the  moderate  use  of 
these  enjoyments, our  bodies  may  be  strength- 
ened and  prepared  for  serving  our  God  and 
generation  ;  do  we  pursue  with  diligence  our 


296  Sermon  12, 

ordinary  occupations  ;  does  tlie  student  ea- 
gerly prosecute  his  studies,  his  reading,  and 
reflcciions  ;  this  labor  should  be  pursued,  not 
that  he  may  be  considered  eminent  for  talents 
or  learninj^,  but  that  his  understanding  may 
be  more  enlarged,  that  he  may  become  more 
ienlightcned  in  the  mysteries  of  creation  or 
redemption,  and  capable  of  extolling  the 
perfections  of  God  as  displayed  in  the  inli- 
i^ite  variety  of  his  works  :  Does  the  husband- 
man enter  upon  his  usual  employments,  and 
diligently  pursue  his  calling  either  in  the  house 
or  the  field  ;  these  labors  should  be  followed 
not  only  to  fulfil  th^  law  of  industry  enjoined 
upon  man  at  his  creation,  not  only  to  provide 
things  necessary  for  himself  and  family,  but 
that  he  may  be  able,  as  the  apostle  exhorts, 
**  to  ^ive  to  him  that  needeth  ;"  that  he  may 
be  able  to  imitate  the  example  of  the  com^- 
passionate  Saviour,  who  pronounced  it  *'more 
blessed  to  give  than  to  receive.  '  The  honor 
of  God  ought  thus  to  be  consulted  and  ad- 
vanced by  all  in  every  situation  and  relation 
of  life.  By  habitually  promoting  this  spiritu- 
al temper,  by  doing  ail  in  obedience  to  the 
divine  authority,  and  with  a  vievv  to  the  di- 
vine glory,  our  common  employments  be- 
come, as  it  were,  religious  exercises,  and  in 
pursuing  the  ordinary  duties  of  life  wc  are  re- 
ally advancing  our  spiritual  and  immortal  in- 
terests. Wc  are  thus  commanded,  that 
^'  whether  we  eat  or  drink,  or  whatever  we 
do,  to  do  all  to  the  glory  of  God." 


Sermon  12.  297 

From  this  attempt  to  explain  the  import  of 
the  admonition,  we  are  led  to  consider, 

II.  The  advantages  attending  this  habitu- 
al reverence  and  devotion  of  spirit. 

1.  By  being  *'  in  the  fear  of  God  all  the  daj 
long,"  we  obey  his  explicit  command  and  an- 
swer his  design  both  in  our  creation  and  re- 
demption. The  living  God  is  not  satisfisd 
■with  a  part  of  our  services  ;  he  is  not  willing 
to  divide  our  love,  and  our  obedience  with 
the  mammon  of  this  world.  As  our  God  and 
Redeemer  he  utterly  refuses  to  admit  a  rival 
in  the  bosom  of  his  people,  but  claims  our 
supreme,  our  undivided  homage  and  affection. 
**  Sanctify  the  Lord  of  hosts  himself,"  is  his 
sovereign  command  ;  *^  let  him  be  your  fear  ; 
and  let  him  be  your  dread  :  Thou  shnlt  love 
the  Lord  thy  God,  widi  all  thy  heart,  and  with 
all  thy  soul,  and  with  all  thy  mind,  and  with 
all  thy  strength  ;  this  is  the  first  comm.and- 
ment  ;  it  is  more  than  all  uhole  burnt  ofter- 
incrs  and  sacrifices."  It  is  not  merelv  our  oc- 
casional  worship  when  we  formally  engage  in 
the  duties  of  religion  which  is  due  to  God 
and  which  he  demands,  but  constant,  devout 
impressions  of  his  goodness  and  glory  ;  earn- 
est, ardent  outgoings  of  soul  to  him  as  our 
portion  and  joy.  **  The  Lord"  thus  "  appear- 
ed to  Abraham  and  said  unto  him,  I  am  the 
Almighty  God  ;  walk  before  me  and  be  thou 
perfect.''  This  profound,  uniform  veneration 
of  the  Eternal ;  this  ardent,  supreme  aftection 
to  him  as  their  portion  and  rejoicing  was  the 


2^a  Sermon   12. 

attainment  after  wliich  the  righteous  formerly 
aspired  as  their  glory  and  jo} .  *'  Enoch  walk- 
ed with  God :''  The  royal  Psalmist  proclaims, 
"  I  have  set  the  Lord  always  before  me,  be- 
cause he  is  at  my  right  hand,  I  shall  not  be 
moved:  My  mouth  shall  shew  forth  thy  righ- 
teousness and  thy  salvation  all  the  day,  for  I 
knov/  not  the  numbers  thereof:  Whom  have 
I  in  heaven  but  thee  and  there  is  none  on 
earth  that  I  desire  beside  thee  ;  my  fiesh  and 
my  heart  faileth,  but  God  is  the  strength  of 
my  heart  and  my  portion  forever  " 

.2.  By  being  *'  in  the  fear  of  the  Lord  all 
the  day  long,'  we  adorn  his  gospel,  and  recom- 
mend it  to  the  admiration  and  esteem  of  the 
world.  It  is  cause  of  humiliation  and  grief 
that  the  Lord  Jesus  is  frequently  *'  wounded 
in  the  house  of  his  friends  ;"  that  the  gospel 
of  his  glory  suffers  such  reproach  aiid  injury 
from  the  lives  of  its  pretended  advocates.- — 
Some  are  all  devotion  one  day  and  all  dissipa- 
tion another  day  ;  they  are  ail  reverence  in  the 
temple  and  ail  riot  in  the  tavern  ;  that  same 
mouth  whicli  is  opened  one  hour  to  bless  God 
m  the  family,  is  employed  another  hour  either 
in  cursing  his  name  or  reproaching  **  man  that 
was  created  after  the  image  of  God  ;"  those 
hands  which  in  the  morning  were  lifted  up  to- 
wards heaven  in  prayer  are  perhaps  stretched 
out  through  the  day  in  acts  either  of  violence 
or  fraud  ;  the  sbime  person  who  upon  one  oc- 
casion *'  partakes  of  the  cup  of  the  Lord'Vby 
receiving  the   mysteries  of  our  holy  religion^ 


StfTTfon  12.  2911 

pa^rtakes,  upon  another  occasion,  *'  the  cup  of 
devils  by  surfeiting  and  dru-nkcnness."  By- 
such  disorderly  conduct  men  not  only  bring- 
guilt  upon  their  con-scietices,  but  they  expose 
Christianity  to  the  derision  of  its  adversaries, 
aiKl  practically  injure  that  cause  which  they' 
professedly  advocate.  But  by  li^'ing  **  in  the 
fear  of  the  Lord  ;"  by  uniformly  conducting 
as  in  his  presence,  and  dischargiug  with  ten- 
derness the  duties  incumbent  upon  us  in  all 
the  relations  of  life  we  '^  adorn  the  doctrine 
of  God  our  Saviour  ;"  we  edify  the  genera- 
tion of  the  righteous  and  shut  the  mouth  of 
impiety  and  scorn.  *'  For  so  is  the  will  of 
God  that  by  well  doing  we  put  to  silenc-e  the 
ignorance  of  foolish  men.''  When  the  pro- 
fessed followers  of  the  Lamb  walk  worthy  of 
"  HIM  who  hath  called  them  to  glory  and  vir- 
tue ;"  when,  as  the  Saviour  exhorts,  thei/ 
shine  as  lights  in  the  xvorld^  throwing  around 
them  in  all  companies  the  splendor  of  their 
graces  ;  evincing  the  purity  of  their  princi- 
ples by  the  purity  of  their  practices,  if  they 
do  not  altogether  gain  the  adversarv,  they  at 
least  confound  him  ;  if  they  do  not  ''almost 
persuade  him  to  be  a  christian,"  they  cannot 
fail  to  soften  his  enmity  against  the  cross  ; 
they  oblige  him  to  consider  those  scriptures 
as  more  than  "  a  cunningly  devised  fable,'' 
\vhich  bring  forth  the  fruits  of  love  and  piety 
to  God,  of  good  will  and  charity  to  men. 

3.   By  being  in  ''  the  fear  of  the  Lord  all  the 
day  long,''  we  unspeakably  promote  our  own 


300  Sermon  12. 

peace  and  consolation.  Real  religion  has 
*'  veril}  a  great  reward  ;"  it  imparts  a  peace  to 
the  conscience  and  joy  to  the  heart  which 
pass  g// utterance  and  understanding.  "  Who 
hath  woe,  who  hath  sorrow,  who  hath  conten- 
tions, who  hath  babbling,  who  hath  wounds 
without  cause,  who  hath  redness  of  eyes  ;''  I 
may  add,  who  hath  torturing  of  conscience, 
who  hath  shame  and  confusion  of  face,  who 
hath  reproach  from  the  world  ;  who  hath  re- 
morse for  what  is  past,  who  hath  dreadful 
forebodings  for  what  is  to  come  :  *'  He  who 
tarries  long  at  the  wine,  who  goeth  to  seek 
mixed  wine  ;"  he  who  is  the  slave  of  irregu- 
lar, un mortified  appetites  ;  he  who  is  disor- 
derly in  his  private  walk,  who  is  undutiful  to 
God,  and  unrighteous  to  man.  Who,  on  the 
other  hand,  possesses  inward  peace  amidst  e- 
very  outward  difficulty  and  storm  ;  who  pos- 
sesses the  respect  and  confidence  of  the  world; 
who  enjoys  the  approbation  of  his  conscience 
and  God  ;  who  can  reflect  with  pleasure  on 
what  is  past,  who  can  anticipate  with  compo- 
sure and  triumph  whatever  may  orshall  come  ? 
The  man  who  aims  at  walking  in  the  fear  of 
the  Lord ;  who  conducts  with  circumspec- 
tion and  sobriety  in  all  companies  and  amidst 
all  circumstances  ;  who,  *'  denying  ungodli- 
ness and  worldly  lusts,"  endeavors  to  "  live 
soberly,  and  righteousl}'',  and  godly  in  this 
present  world  3"  who  consults  the  will  of  Je- 
hovah as  the  reason,  his  word  as  the  rule,  and 
his  glory  as  the  end  of  his  life.     **  The  fear  of 


Sermon  12.  301 

the  Lord  is  the  beginning,"  the  perfection  of 
*'  wisdom,  and  a  good  understanding  have  all 
they  that  keep  his  commandments.  His 
ways  are  ways  of  pleasantness  and  all  his  paths 
are  peace  :  By  humility  and  the  fear  of  the 
Lord  are  riches  and  honor  and  life.'' 

4.  By  being  in  ''  the  fear  of  the  Lord  all 
the  day  long,"  we  are  habitually  prepared  for 
the  services  and  joys  of  the  heavenly  state. 
To  a  person  who  constantly  maintains  this 
spiritual  frame,  death  is  a  change  of  place  not 
of  employment ;  faith  merely  gives  way  to 
vision  ;  hope  to  fruition,  and  he  exchanges  the 
service,  and  the  communion  of  God  on  earth 
to  obey  him  more  perfectly  and  enjoy  him 
more  fully  in  heaven  ;  he  leaves  his  christian 
brethren  and  sisters,  with  whom  he  had  a- 
greeably  associated  here,  to  mingle  with  the 
redeemed  of  all  countries  who  have  gone  be- 
fore to  his  Father's  kingdom  ;  with  holy  "  an- 
gels that  do  his  commandments,  hearkening 
to  the  voice  of  his  word  '  what  is  a  consider- 
ation infinitely  more  transporting,  he  goes  to 
enjoy  the  Father  in  the  eternal  expressions  of 
his  love  ;  the  Son  in  the  riches  of  his  grace  ; 
the  Holy  Ghost  in  his  abundant,  everlasting 
consolations.  Who  can  utter,  what  pen  can 
describe,  what  imagination  can  conceive  the 
peace,  and  the  transport  of  such  a  character  in 
the  moment  of  dissolution  ?  Is  the  voice  of  the 
bridegroom  heard  *'  at  the  third,  or  the  sixth, 
or  the  ninth,  or  the  eleventh  hour,  he  is  al- 
wavs  ready  ;  his  loins  are  girded  about,  his 
2    B 


502  Senncn  12. 

lights  trimmed  and  burning,  and  he  waitings 
the  approach  of  his  Lord  ''  Does  the  me.ssen- 
ger  of  death  overtake  him  in  an  hour  unex- 
]7ected,  does  he  steal  in  upon  him  *'  like  a 
ihief  in  the  night,"  he  may,  he  can,  notwith- 
standing,  triumphantly  proclaim,  "  I  am  now 
ready  to  be  oflered  ;  I  have  fought  a  good 
fight,  I  have  finished  my  course,  1  have  kept 
ihe  faith  :  O  death,  w  here  is  thy  sting ;  O 
jjjrave,  where  is  thy  victory  :  Thanks  be  to 
God  that  giveth  me  the  victory  through  my 
LordJesusChrist:''Ahhough,if  I  may  change 
the  similitude,  although  the  Jordan  of  death 
may  overfiovv'  all  its  banks,  although  its  bil- 
ious may  be  raging  and  foaming,  he  beholds 
Jesus,  cur  Joshua,  with  ''  the  ark  of  the  cov. 
enaiit"  marching  before  him,  directing  his 
passage  to  the  Canaan  of  eternal  rest ;  he  hears 
li-im  kindly  expostulating  "  fear  not ;  v»hen 
thou  passe  St  through  the  waters,  I  will  be 
with  thee,  and  through  the  floods  they  shall 
not  overflow  thee  ;  1  will  strengthen,  yea,  I 
will  uphold  thee  with  the  right  hand  of  my 
righteousness.*'  Thus,  while  '*  the  wicked 
is  driven  away  in  his  wickedness,  the  right- 
eous hath  hope  in  his  death.  Mark  the  per- 
fect man,  and  behold  the  upright,  for  the 
end  of  that  man  is  peace." 

Are  such  the  advantages  attending  a  life  of 
practical,  powerful  religion  ;  a  life  spent  in 
the  fear  and  fellowship  of  Jehovi;h  ;  some  are, 
perhaps,  enq  :iring  how  shall  i  attain  to  such 
privileges  and  prospects  ?    By    what    means 


tnay  I  be  enabled  to  walk  more  inlimately 
with  God  and  live  more  entirely  for  him  ?  To 
xmswer  this  enquiry  in  a  plain,  scriptural  man- 
ner, is  our  third  proposition  to  which  your  at- 
tention is  now  invited. 

1.  Maintain  a  constant  dependance  upon 
the  eternal  Redeemer,  and  be  deriving  daily 
and  hourly  from  his  fulness  all  necessary 
strength.  This  faith  or  reliance  on  the  Son 
^f  God,  I  mention  first,  because  it  may  be 
-considered  as  the  essence  of  living  Godliness  ; 
it  may  be  pronounced  '*  the  Alpha  and  Ome- 
ga, the  beginning  and  ending"  of  every  du- 
ty and  every  privilege.  It  is  his  own  decla- 
ration and  the  truth  of  the  declaration  will  be 
acknowledged  by  all  who  are  acquainted  with 
the  deceitfulness  of  their  own  hearts  **  with- 
out me  ye  can  do  nothing  ;  I  am  the  green 
fir-tree,  from  me  is  thy  fruit  found  :"  all  our 
fruits  of  righteousness,  of  peace,  of  patience, 
of  consolation,  of  hope,  are  as  much  derived 
from  Jesus  the  everliving  tree,  as  the  sap  in 
the  branch  is  derived  from  the  fountain.  As 
we  are  first  reconciled  to  the  Father  through 
th(t  righteousness  and  mediation  of  the  Son  ; 
so  our  familiar  walk  and  fellowship  with  the 
Father  can  be  maintained  only  through  Jesus 
r.s  our  propitiation  and  A^dvocate.  *'  Thro' 
liim  we  both  have  access  by  one  Spirit  unto 
the  Father.'  In  proportion,  therefore,  as  we 
are  strong  in  his  strength,  as  we  receive 
grace  from  this  living  head,  in  that  very  pro- 
portion \YQ_  shall  live  to  the  glory   of  God,  to 


304  Sermon  12. 

the  advantage  of  his  church,  to  the  ornament 
of  our  christian  profession, and  to  our  own  re- 
joicing in  a  dying  hour.  What  was  it  that 
rendered  them  so  distinguished  in  all  the 
fruits  of  righteousness,  so  fervent  in  their  love 
to  God,  so  abundant  in  their  charities  to  man, 
so  zealous  and  steadfast  in  their  holy  profes- 
sion ;  so  patierd  in  tribulation,  so  resigned 
in  poverty  and  reproach,  so  calm  and  tri- 
umphant in  danger  and  death  ?  All  their  fer- 
vour, all  their  uniformity  arose  from  this  con- 
sideration, *'  they  were  strong  in  the  Lord 
^nQ\  in  the  power  of  his  might  :  They  over- 
came by  the  blood  of  the  Lamb,  and  by  the 
w^ord  of  their  testimony.''  Beloved  brethren, 
would  you  obey  the  injunction  contained  in 
the  text,  would  you  discharge  the  duty  and 
experience  the  consolation  of  *'  living  in  the 
fear  of  the  Lord  all  the  day  long,  be  strong 
in  the  grace  that  is  in  Christ  Jesus  ;'*  depend 
upon  him  every  day,  in  all  duties  and  in  all 
difficulties,  as  "  }  our  wisdom,  and  i  ighteous- 
r.ess  and  sanctiRcation  and  redemption." 
Dost  thou  complain  of  spiritual  death.  He 
*'  is  the  resurrection  and  the  life  ;  '  art  thou 
in  darkness  relating  either  to  thy  present  con- 
dition or  thy  future  concerns,  HE  '*  leads 
the  blind  in  ways  they  know  not,  and  makes 
darkness  light  before  them  ;  '  Does  consci- 
ence accuse  thee  of  many  imperfections 
that  thou  art  afraid  to  approach  the  mercy- 
seat  or  to  call  God  thy  Father  ?  "  There  is 
redemption  in  his  blood,  even   the   forgive- 


Sermon   12.  305 

p.ess  of  sins  :'*  Is  thy  soul  distracted  with  tea 
thousand  cares  and  anxieties  ?  "  He  comforts 
all  that  mourn,  and  gives  the  garment  of  praise 
for  the  spirit  of  heaviness:''  Art  thou  afraid  of 
beingpresseddownby  the  difficulties,  or  drawn 
aside  by  the  allurements  of  the  world  ?  *'  He 
is  able  to  keep  thee  from  falling  and  present 
thee  faultless  before  the  presence  of  his  glory 
with  exceeding  joy  :"  In  short,  out  of  Jesus 
and  the  communion  of  his  spirit  and  righte- 
ousness, all  is  darkness,  and  distraction,  va- 
nity  now  and  vexation  hereafter  ;  in  Jesus 
and  the  fellowship  of  his  offices,  all  is  life,  all 
is  light,  all  is  liberty,  peace  now  and  triumph 
and  glory  in  the  latter  end. 

2.  Endeavor  to  begin  each  day  with  a  live- 
ly, spiritual  frame.  In  the  morning  our  na- 
tural spirits  are  usually  refreshed,  they  arc 
most  composed,  and  easily  inclined  to  reli- 
gious reflection  ;  they  are  not  then  perplexed 
with  the  cares  of  the  world  nor  soured  by  its 
vexations  and  disappointments.  Strive^  there- 
fore, that  your  first  thoughts  be  devoted  to 
God  and  your  everlasting  concerns  :  'i'he  mo- 
ment, that  your  eyes  awake  from  natural 
sleep  fix  your  meditations  on  some  enliven- 
ing doctrine  of  Christianity.  There  is  an  al- 
most infinite  variety  of  subjects  to  which  your 
thoughts  might  be  usefully  and  agreeably  di- 
rected, 'ilie  goodness  of  Jehovah  towards 
man  at  his  creation  in  forming  '*  him  after  his 
own  image,'"  in  teaching  him  **  more  than 
the  beasts  of  the  field'  and  qualifying  him 
2  b2 


306  Sermon  12. 

for  nobler  enjoyments  ;  his  grace  in  accom- 
plishing a  method  for  our  recovery  throiigli 
his  eternal  Son,  and  in  restoring  us  even  to 
a  greater  degree  of  glory  and  happiness  than 
>vas  lost  by  our  apostacy.  Docs  you  imagi- 
nation wander  that  you  cannot  feel  enlarge- 
ment in  these  reflections,  repeat  silently  in 
your  mind  some  promise  or  psalm  or  hymn 
that  you  have  committed  to  memory.  The 
promises  are  always  new  ;  ihey  are  an  infi- 
nite source  of  consolation  and  encouragement, 
and  when  sealed  by  the  Spirit  of  grace,  they 
give  life  to  the  spiritually  dead  and  light  to 
ihe  spiritually  blind.  Does  conscience  charge 
you  with  transgression  in  your  former  con- 
duct, contemplate  some  promise  of  pardon- 
ioiT  mercy;  or  is  your  spirit  dejected  on  ac- 
count of  strong  corruptions  ;  have  your 
thoughts  during  the  night  been  unprofitable, 
your  dreams  idle  and  impure  ;  meditate  on 
the  promise  of  sanctification,  *'  sin  shall  not 
have  dominion  over  you  ;  a  new  heart  also 
will  I  give  you  and  a  new  spirit  will  I  put 
within  you.  '  Is  your  outward  condition 
peculiarly  adverse  and  trying  ;  are  the  dispen- 
sations of  providence  dark  that  you  know  not 
how  to  proceed,  improve  the  promises  of  sup- 
port and  direction,  **  the  meek  he  will  guide 
in  judgment ;  the  m.eek  he  will  teach  his  way; 
all  things  shall  work  together  for  good  to 
them  ihat  love  God  :"  Is  your  passage  th'o' 
life  rough  and  tempestuous  ;  does  billow  of 
adversity  roll  after  billow  that  you  are  afraid 


Sermon  12.  307 

of  being  ovenvhelmed  in  the  perilous  ocean  ; 
meditate  on  the  unspeakable  joys  and  glories 
of  the  heavenly  world.  *'  These  light  afflic- 
tions  that  are  but  for  a  moment,  work  for  us 
a  far  more  exceeding  and  eternal  weight  of 
glory,"  All  these  promises  are  yea  and  amen 
in  Jesus  Christ,  and  it  is  equally  our  duty  and 
privilege  to  apply  them  upon  all  occasions  as 
our  circumstances  may  require. 

Having  endeavored  in  this  manner  to  occu- 
py your  first  moments,  immediately  after  you 
arise  recommend  yourself  to  God  by  fervt- nt 
])rayer  ;  **  present  your  body"  and  spirit  to 
him  a  ''  living  sacrifice,  holy  and  acceptable 
which  is  your  reasonable  service; '  your  eyes 
to  be  kept  through  the  day  from  beholding  e- 
^■ii,  your  tongues  from  speaking  to  the  dis- 
honor of  God  or  the  injury  of  your  neighbor  ; 
your  hands  from  acts  of  injustice  or  violence  ; 
acknowledge  your  absolute  insufficiency  ei- 
ther to  resist  temptation,  or  to  guard  against 
accidents,  or  to  secure  success  in  your  re- 
spective pursuits,  *'  knowing  that  it  is 
not  in  man  who  walketh  to  direct  his  ste])s," 
and  ask  his  protecting  care  in  your  out-going 
and  in  coming  :  implore  that  he  would  either 
keep  you  from  being  tempted,  or  support  in 
the  hour  of  temptation  ;  that  *'  he  would  e- 
stablish  the  work  of  your  hands"  and  give 
such  prosperity  both  in  temporal  and  spi- 
ritual concerns  as  his  unerring  wisdom  sees 
most  expedient.  To  pr.vsocuie  our  ordinary 
employments  v/ithouL  looking  to  God  for  sue- 


308  Sermcn  12. 

cess,  ispractical  atheism,  andto  expect  his  bles- 
sing without  seeking  it  is  daring  presumption. 
'*  We  must  ask  if  we  would  receive  ;  we 
must  acknowledge  God  in  all  our  ways,'  if 
we  expect  to  be  directed  by  him.  Let  pray- 
er, if  possible,  be  performed  before  you  en- 
gage in  the  business  of  the  day.  It  is  a  tri- 
bute of  respect  you  owe  to  the  living  God,  to 
HIM  who  brought  you  into  being,  who  up- 
holds your  soul  in  life,  and  gives  you  all 
things  richly  to  enjoy  to  offer  him  your  earli- 
est affections  and  services.  David  therefore 
resolves,  "  my  voice  shuit  thou  hear  In  the 
morning,  O  Lord  ;  in  the  morning  will  I  di- 
rect my  prayer  unto  thee  and  will  look  up  : 
O  God,  thou  art  mv  God,  early  will  I  seek 
thee.'' 

It  may  be  profitable,  as  opportunity  offers, 
to  pass  over  in  your  imagination  the  different 
stages  of  the  day  ;  to  consider  the  duties  yen 
may  be  called  to  discharge,  or  the  tem.ptations 
you  may  be  called  to  resist,  and  then  humbly 
look  to  the  blessed  AdvcCcite,  that  he  would 
communicate  grace  to  help  in  time  of  need. — 
It  is  of  unspeakable  importance  to  kriow  be- 
fore hand  any  particular  snare  to  which  3  ou 
may  he  exposed  ;  the  mind  is  thereby  prepa- 
red for  the  shock,  and  wiih  a  firm  reliance  on 
divine  strength,  miay  collect  all  its  powers  in 
fortifying  agiiinst  it.  1  he  soldier  is  by  no 
means  so  liable  to  be  defeated,  when  he  has 
considered  not  only  the  force  of  his  encmV) 


Ser;non  12.  aoO 

but  the  very  time  ivhen^  and  the  very  place 
xvhere  the  assault  will  most  probably  be  made, 
2.  Endeavor  to  preserve  a  devout,  spiritu- 
al frame  amidst  the  various  pursuits  and  en- 
joy nients  of  the  day.  A  mind  deeply  exercl- ' 
sed  to  godliness  may  gather  instruction  from 
every  incident  and  employment  of  life.  In 
receiving  the  common  bread  for  nourishing 
our  bodies,  we  may  reflect  on  our  spiritual 
wants,  and  the  necessity  of  improving  that 
bread  which  came  down  from  heaven  and 
gives  life  to  the  world  :  While  we  are  prcpa- 
ring  or  puling  on  the  natural  raiment  to  adorn 
the  outward  man,  we  are  reminded  of  our 
spiritual  nakedness,  and  the  necessity  of  ap- 
plying that  garment  of  salvation,  that  robe  of 
righteousness  which  is  brought  near  by  Je- 
hovah the  Redeemer  :  In  pursuing  our  usual 
labors,  U'e  may  consider  I  he  great  work  of 
salvation  to  be  completed,  the  corruptions  to 
be  mortified,  the  enemies  to  be  subdued,  and 
the  graces  to  be  perfected  In  traveling  from 
place  to  place,  our  attention  may  be  directed 
to  the  journey  of  life  which  we  are  constant- 
ly performing,  and  that  every  day  and  hour 
we  are  approaching  nearer  the  end  of  our 
course.  In  conversing  with  our  natural 
friends,  we  may  examine  whether  we  have 
*'  fellowship  with  the  Father  and  his  Son  Je- 
sus Christ  ;'  and  whether,  like  the  apostle, 
"  our  conversation  is  in  heaven,  from  whence 
also  we  look  for  the  Saviour."  As  a  mean  of 
promoting  this  spirituality  of  heart,  you  may 


310  Sermon  12. 

be  occasionally  presenting  your  silent  suppli- 
cations to  God  for  the  enlivening  influences 
of  his  spirit,  or  revolving  in  your  thoughts 
some  portion  of  his  sacred  word.  **  All  scrip- 
ture is  given  by  inspiration  of  God,  and  is 
profitable  for  doctrine,  for  reproof,  for  correc- 
tion and  for  instruction  in  righteousness ; 
that  the  man  of  God  may  be  perfect,  tho- 
roughly furnished  unto  all  good  works.'* 

Be  careful  to  allow  yourself  in  no  amuse- 
ment that  appears  unlawful  or  even  doubtful : 
By  indulgencies  of  this  nature  the  divine 
SPIRIT  is  grieved,  the  voice  of  conscience  is 
enfeebled  and  this  monitor  is  discouraged  from 
renewing  his  remonstrances  :  Besides,  a  righ- 
teous God  frequently  chastises  one  transgres- 
sion in  his  people  by  leaving  them  to  the  com- 
mission of  another  more  odious  and  aggrava- 
ted. Uncleanncss  in  David  w^as  corrected  by 
permitting  him  to  add  deliberate  murder  ; 
presumption  and  flilse  confidence  in  Peter 
xvere  chastised  by  leaving  him  not  only  to  the 
open  denial  of  his  IVIaster,  but  to  aggravate 
that  denial  with  cursing  and  swearing  VV^e 
are  therefore  admonished  to  abstain  '*  from 
all  appearance  of  evil  •  to  take  heed  lest  at  a- 
n}'  time  the  hea*t  be  overcharged  with  sur- 
feiting and  drunken  less,  and  that  day  come 
upon  us  unawares.  ' 

4.  Before  you  retire  in  the  evening  call 
yourself  to  an  impartial  account  respecting 
the  duties  of  the  day  ;  survey  with  care  the 
gtages  through   which  you  have  passed  and 


Sermon  12.  311 

examine  how  you  was  enabled  to  conduct  ; 
enquire  how  you  behaved  towards  God  the 
Judge  of  all,  and  whether  you  acted  as  under 
his  all  seeing,  all- searching  eye  ;  how  you  be- 
haved towards  Jesus  the  Mediator  of  the  co- 
venant, whether  you  exercised  faith  upon  him 
in  all  his  offices,  looking  to  him  as  a  Prophet 
for  direction  in  every  undertaking,  as  a  Priest 
to  pardon  all  your  imperfections,  as  a  King 
to  subdue  each  rising  lust,  and  to  support  un- 
der every  difficulty  ;  examine  how  you  eon- 
ducted  towards  man,  whether  in  all  your  in- 
tercourse your  conversation  was  with  grace, 
tending  to  edification  ;  see  whether  you  at- 
tained to  some  measure  of  patience  amidst  the 
seeming  frowns  of  providence,  and  forbear- 
ance to  any  who  may  have  injured  you.  Be 
not  discouraged,  although  ten  thousand  fail- 
ures appear  to  your  view  ;  but  improve  the 
lamb  that  was  slain  for  the  reniission  of  your 
past  transgrcssions,and  trust  on  the  plenitude 
of  his  grace  for  the  more  perfect  discharge  of 
duty  hereafter  :  In  the  blood  of  his  cross  tliere 
is  plenteous  redemption  ;  it  is  a  fountain  eter- 
]ially  flowing  both  for  pardon  and  purification. 
In  reclining  upon  your  bed  aim  at  cherish- 
ing some  profitable  meditation  :  How  season- 
able, how  sweet,  while  we  cease  from  the  la- 
bors of  the  day  and  retire  to  rest,  to  contem- 
plate the  repose  of  the  grave,  where  the  roea- 
ry  christian  will  be  at  rest  ;  where  lie  shall 
cease  from  all  the  vexations,  and  sorrows  of 
life,  and  shall  enjoy  undisturbed  repose  ;  or, 


21^2  Sermon  12. 

to  reflect  on  the  future  resurrection,  when 
**  this  corruptible  shall  put  on  incorruption," 
and  those  that  **  sleep  in  Jesus  shall  awake  to 
everlasting  life.''  We  are  thus  commanded 
to  "  commune  with  cur  own  hearts  on  our 
beds  and  be  silent.'' 

Such  are  the  advantages  of  a  life  spent  in 
the  fear  of  Jehovah  and  communion  with  him, 
and  such  are  the  means  of  promoting  it. — 
With  these  directions  I  must  now  commend 
thee  to  the  blessing  of  God  the  Spirit,  from 
whom  alone  I  either  expect  or  ask  the  in- 
crease :  Should  HE  condescend  to  render 
them  effectual  to  thy  spiritual  establishment 
or  consolation,  new  obligations  v^ill  be  impo- 
sed on  thee  and  me  to  adore  the  riches  of  his 
sovereignty  and  grace  ;  then  the  present  will 
be  indeed  a  happy  new  year  ;  it  will  be  a 
precious  pledge  of  that  more  glorious  period 
when  the  necessity  of  ordinances  shall  be  su- 
perseded by  the  immediate  presence  of  the 
God  of  ordinances  ;  when  he  that  soweth  in- 
struction and  he  that  reapcth  these  instruc- 
tions shall  rejoice  together,  and  God  sliall  be 
all  and  in  all.     Amen. 


SERMON  XIII. 


CONCLUSION, 

2    PETER    I.    10,    11. 

If  ye  do  these  things  ye  shall  never  fall :  For 
so  an  entrance  shall  be  ministered  to  you  a- 
bundantly  into   the  everlasting  kingdom  of 
our  Lord  and  Saviour^  Jesus  Christ. 

THESE  verses  are  properly  a  promise 
annexed  to  particular  duties  recommended  in 
the  preceding  verses.  The  apostle  had  been 
exhorting  these  christians  to  ''  abound  in  the 
work  of  the  Lord  ;  to  add  to  their  faith  virtue, 
and  to  their  virtue  knowledge,  and  to  their 
knowledge  brotherly  kindness,  and  to  their 
brotherly  kindness  charity  :"  He  had  been  ur- 
ging  them  to  give  diligence,  all  diligence  to  do 
these  things,  to  improve  widi  a  becoming 
earnestness  the  various  means  which  are  ap- 
pointed for  the  attainment  of  these  ends.  A 
variety  of  these  means,  secret  prayer,  medita- 
tion upon  the  scriptures,  attendance  on  the  du- 
ties of  the  sanctuary,  mutual  exhortation  and 
the  sanctification  of  the  sabbath  have  been  ex- 
plained and  enforced  in  the  preceding  discour- 
ses. It  is  designed  in  this  concluding  dis- 
course to  illustrate  the  happy  issue  of  a  life 
thus  spent  in  communion  with  God,  and  de- 
votion to  his  service. 

If  ye  do  these  things  ;  if  ye  keep  my  com- 
mandments  from  a  principle   of  respect  for 
2  c 


514  Sermon  13. 

mine  authorit}^  and  gratitude  to  my  love  ;  if 
ye  walk  in  iviine  ordinances  as  the  appointed 
means  of  enjoying  nny  fellowship  in  this  world, 
and  preparing  you  for  my  immediate,  ever- 
lasting communion  in  the  world  to  come,  ye 
shall  never  fall :  ''  Ye  shall  not  utterly  full, 
nor  finally  be   disappointed  of  your  hopes  ; 
these  graces  which  I  coramunicated  to  your 
Iiearts  by  my  Spirit,  and  which  you  have  im- 
proved by  a  diligent  use  of  tlie  means  of  my 
iippointment,  shall  be  crowned  with  glory  in 
the  end.'*     That  sovereign  purpose  of  Jeho- 
vah which  from  eternity  ha.d  decreed  their  re- 
covery ;   which  was  partially  executed  in  call- 
ing, and  justifying,  and  sanctifying  them  shall 
receive  its  complete  accomplishment  in  their 
full   and    eternal   salvation.     That  Jesus   by 
.whose   free,    omnipotent  agency   they    were 
brought  into  the  covenant  is  able,  and  not  on- 
ly able  but  gracious  *'  to  keep  them  from  fall- 
ing, and  to  present  them  faultless  before  the 
.presence   of  his  glory  with   exceeding  joy.'? 
The  spark  of  grace  which  is  imparted  to  the 
soul  in  its  effectual  calling  is  not^  cannot  be  ex- 
tinguished by  all  the  floods  of  corruption,  but 
is  preserved  and  improved  until  it  shines  forth 
imobscured  in  heaven,  its  native-element. 

If  yf  do  these  things  ye  shall  never  fall : 
Thev  shall  not  be  permitted  to  apostatize  from 
their  holy  profession,  nor  commit  those  abo- 
minations by  which  the  christian  name  might 
be  reproached,  or  the  peace  of  their  own  con- 
sciences interrupted.      Although  corruption 


Sermon  13,  315 

resides  as  a  neighbor  to  grace  in  the  believer's 
heart,  and  occasionally  leads  him  captive,  so 
as  to  plunge  him  into  the  pollutions  of  the 
world,  yet  this  advantage  of  the  flesh  is  usual- 
ly obtained  by  a  loose,  careless  walk  on  tlie 
part  of  the  christian  ;  either  from  the  neglect 
of  ordinances  which  are  instrumental  in  sanc- 
tifying and  coniirming,  or  from  a  formal  at- 
tendance upon  them.  Peter  fell  grossly  in 
the  open  denial  of  his  Master,  yet  this  fall 
may  be  considered  as  a  chastisernent  for  his 
presumptuous  reliance  upon  his  own  strength 
in  opposition  to  the  warnings  of  his  Lord. 
The  promise  secures  *' that  the  righteous 
shall  hold  on  his  way  ;  that  they  who  wait  up- 
on the  Lord  shall  renew  their  strength  ;  that 
they  who  trust  in  him  shall  be  like  mount 
Zion  which  cannot  be  removed,  but  abideth 
forever,  '  and  these  promises  v/ill  infallibly 
be  accomplished  to  such  as  keep  their  hearts 
with  all  diligence,  and  are  attentive  in  the  use 
of  instituted  means.  To  suppose  the  contra- 
ry v/ould  be  to  question  the  truth  of  Jehovah, 
»nd  to  deny  the  tendency  of  his  own  means 
to  accomplish  the  purposes  for  which  they 
are  appointed.  We  m.ight  as  readily  suppose 
that  a  healthful  branch  could  remain  barren 
from  year  to  year  although  connected  with 
a  flcurishing  tree,  or  that  the  stream  could 
become  dry  although  supply ed  from  a  living 
fountain,  as  to  suppose  that  the  believer  could 
fall  into  spiritual  decay,  or  be  given  up  to  the 
gratifications  of  the  fiesh   while  he   attends 


316  Sermofj  IS. 

with  diligence  the  means  of  grace,  iind  m 
them  aspires  after  fellowship  with  his  Living 
Head.  As  it  is  the  character  of  a  righteous 
man  that  *'  he  delights  in  the  law  of  the 
Lord,"  it  is  his  securit}^  *'  that  he  shall  be 
like  a  tree  planted  by  the  rivers  of  water  that 
bringeth  forth  its  fruit  in  its  season  :''  And 
our  Master  promised  to  his  disciples,  *'  if  3  e 
keep  my  commandments  ye  shall  abide  in  my 
love,  even  as  I  have  krpt  my  Father's  com- 
mandments, and  abide  in  his  love  :''  Again, 
''  he  that  abideth  not  in  me,*'  he  who  does 
not  continue  in  my  commandments,  and  re- 
ceives not  influences  from  my  covenant  ful- 
ness, **  is  cast  forth  as  a  branch,  and  wither- 
ejd,  but  he  that  abideth  in  me  and  I  in  him 
the  same  bringeth  forth  much  fruit/* 

It  is  natural  to  infer  from  this  passage  that 
the  sovereignty  of  God  in  determining  the 
progress  of  his  children  to  perfection  does  not 
militate  in  the  least  against  secondary  means, 
nor  will  excuse  them  in  neglecting  the  ordi- 
nances  which  are  appointed  for  their  perfec- 
tion. There  is  no  doubt  but  *'  the  election 
will  obtain,"  yet  the  objects  of  this  election 
have  neither  reason  nor  scripture  to  expect 
obtaining  the  prize  except  by  running  with 
patience  the  **  race  which  is  set  before  them," 
and  at  the  end  of  which  the  prize  of  glory  is 
suspended.  They  are  as  really,  and  infallibly 
predestinated  to  the  means  of  salvation  as  to 
salvation  itself:  And  their  habitual,  wailful 
iicglect  of  the  ordinances  of  grace  either  evin- 


Sermon  13.  317 

ces  that  they  were  not  elected  to  eternal  life, 
or  that  the  decree  of  their  election  has  not  yet 
received  its  accomplishment.     They  are  par- 
ticularly, and  unalterably    *'  chosen  to  salva- 
tion,'' but  they  are  chosen  to  this  salvation 
*'  through   sanctification  of  the  spirit  and  be- 
lief of  the  truth,"  and  therefore  they  who  do 
not  believe,  and  obey  the  truth  ;   who  do  not 
evidence  their  sanctification  by  a    hatred  of 
sin,  and  desires  after  holiness  shew  that  if  they 
were  chosen  to  salvation,  the   divine    decree 
as  it  relates  to  them  remains  yet  to  be  execu- 
ted     The    Lord   God,  although  absolute  in 
his  purposes,  yet  deals  with  man  as  a  rational 
being  ;  he  addresses  his  fears  by  the  threat- 
nings  of  the   law,  and  his  hopes  by  the  pro- 
mises, and  consolations  of  the  Gospel ;  he  of- 
fers him  the  prize  of  glory,  but  he  prescribes 
a    *'  race  to  be  run"  in  order  to  obtain  that 
prize,  not  indeed  as  the  procuring  cause,  but 
as  an  evidence  of  our  respect  for  his  authori- 
ty, and  as  a  mean  of  preparing  us  for  enjoying 
that  prize.     Thus   while  this  apostle  asserts 
that    all    v»'ho   are    *'  beo'Otten   aa:ain   to  this 
lively  hope  are  kept  by  the  power  of  God  un- 
to salvation,"  yet  he  urges  the  indispensible 
necessity  of  diligence  in  pressing  on  towards 
*'  the  mark  for  t».e  prize  of  the  high  calling  ;" 
and  declares  that  he  who  does  not   use  this 
diligence  *'  is  blind,  and  cannot  see  afar  oPrV 
he    is   ignorant  of  his  duty,  and   glory,  and 
privilege. 
Again,  it  may  naturally  be  inferred  from 
"202' 


518  Sermon  13. 

this  passage  that  activity  in  theRedeemer'sscr^ 
vice  is  amply  rewarded  even  in  the  present 
world.  All  that  temporal  sacrifice  which  the 
christian  makes  by  devoting  a  portion  of  his 
time,  or  substance  in  attending  the  duties,  or 
promoting  the  interests  of  religion  is  fully 
made  up  to  him  by  the  assurance  of  his  Fa- 
ther's love,  and  his  fellowship  with  Jesus  in 
the  joys  of  his  salvation.  That  little  fatigue 
of  body  which  he  may  feel  in  attending  the  or- 
dinances of  divine  grace  either  private  or  pub- 
lic is  more  than  overbalanced  by  an  increase 
of  light,  and  strength,  and  consolation.  He 
is  frequently  ena!)ied  to  "joy  in  God  through 
our  Lord  Jesus  Christ  by  whom  also  he  receives 
the  reconciliation."  He  also  experiences 
a  ijleasure  more  refined,  more  substantial, 
and  satisfyingin  revolving  the  proniises,  in  con- 
templating his  Saviour's  love,  or  in  looking 
forw^ard  to  that  glory  which  is  to  be  revealed 
than  the  children  of  this  world  enjoy  in  the 
very  height  of  their  prosperity  and  mirth  : 
He  can  assert  from  his  ownexperience,  "  great 
peace  ha\e  they  who  love  thy  law  :  thy  lev- 
iiig  kindness  is  better  than  life  :  Thou,  Lord, 
art  a  shield  for  me,  my  glory,  and  the  lifter 
up  of  mine  head.  ' 

The  tenth  verse  which  I  have  now  explained 
secures  the  believer's  privileges  in  time,  the 
next  exhibits  his  triurnphindeath, und  ihirough 
eternity. 

*'  For  so  an  entrance  shall  be  ministered  to 


Sermon  13.  319 

you  abundantly  into  the  everlasting  kingdom 
of  our    Lord   and   Saviour  Jesus  Christ.'' 

Heaven  in  this  and  many  other  instances  is 
called  a  kingdom.  "  Fear  not,  little  flock,  it  i.s 
your  Father's  good  pleasure  to  give  you  the 
kingdom/'  There  the  King  Eternal  and  Im- 
mortal sits  enthroned  in  full  orhed  majesty  ; 
there  his  holy  subjects,  restored  men  and  e- 
lect,  unsinning  angels  constantly  attend  him  y 
they  behold  his  glory  ;  they  enjoy  the  fullest 
assurances  of  his  love,  and  are  tmploycd  in 
j)erforming  his  pleasure  :  John  speaking  of 
the  heavenly  world  mentions  that  ''  the  throne 
of  God  and  of  the  Lamb  ihall  be  in  it,  and 
his  servants  shall  serve  him  :  And  they  shall 
see  his  face  and  his  name  shall  be  in  their 
foreheads/'  I'hese  expressions  point  out 
those  priacely  honofs  to  which  his  loyal  sub- 
jects will  be  raised,  the  intimacy  of  their  fel- 
lowship with  Jeiiovah  the  fountain  of  life  and 
light  and  joy,  and  their  perfect  blessedness  in 
that  fellowship.  They  are  represented  again 
as  "kings  and  priests  unto  God  even  the  Fa- 
ther, as  before  the  throne  of  God,  as  serving 
him  day  and  night,  and  he  that  sitteth  upon 
the  throne  siiali  dwell  among  them.  '  No 
doubt  there  will  be  eternally  the  most  inti- 
mate interchange  of  every  expression  of  mu- 
tual confidence,  and  aifection  between  the  E- 
ternal  j^uv^  and  the  inhabitants  of  the  heaven- 
ly eiiy.  He,  on  the  one  hand,  v.ill  exhibit 
himself  under  the  endearing  relation  of  their 


3±0  Sermon   13. 

God  and  Father  ;    he  will  afford  transporting 
manifestations  of  his  good  wiW  towards  them, 
and  delight  in  them  ;  he  will  disclose  to  them 
all  the  mysteries  of  his  providence  and  grace 
by  which  they  were  conducted   through  this 
world  and  brought  safe  to  their  mansions  in 
heaven  ;   he  will  also  give  them  the  elevating 
assurance  that  as  their  felicity  is  complete  it 
shall  be  without  end  ;  that  as  they  have  cxfid- 
ness  of  joy  their  pleasures  shall  continue  for- 
ever more.     The  redeemed  in    return  will  of- 
fer him  the  most   ardent,  undivided  affection 
of  their  hearts,  and   the  most  pure,  lofty  as- 
criptions of  praise  uith  their  lips.     They  will 
adore  him  forever  for  his  creating  goodness; 
that  he  formed  them  after  his  image,  and  as- 
signed them  a  rank  so  honorable  among   the 
works  of  his  hands  ;   they    \\\A  adore   him  in 
strains  still  mere  exalted  for  redeeming  love  ; 
that   in   the  immensity  of  his  condescension 
and  grace  he  restored  them  from  the  \a  retch- 
edness  of  their  fallen  state,  promoted  them  to 
sit   upon   thrones,  and    accompiished  all  this 
by  a  scheme  so  astonishing  as  the  substitutioHr 
of  his  own,  and  only    Son.       *^  They    sing  a 
new  song  before  the  throne  ;'*  this  song  com- 
menced at  the  translation  of  Abel  from  earth 
to  heaven  ;   it  has  been  gradually   swelling  at 
the  entrance  of  each  heir  of  adoption  into  the 
kingdom  of  their  Father  for  nearly  six  thou- 
sand years,  and  with  it  the  arches   of  heaven 
will  be  resounding  through  eternity  to  comcy 
And  what  is  this  song,  "  worthy  is  the  lamb 


Sermon  13.  321 

that  was  slain  to  receive  power,  and  riches 
and  strength^  and  glory  and  blessing." 

This  kingdom  is  called  an  everlasting  king- 
dom. This  epithet  is  intended  to  distinguish 
it  from  the  dominions,  and  principalities  of 
this  world  which  are  perpetually  changing  ; 
which  are  overthrown  sometin^es  by  internal 
faction,  and  sometimes  by  outward  opposition. 
But  this  kingdom  of  Messiah  will  be  endan- 
gered by  no  shock  either  from  within,  or  from 
without.  "  He  who  sits  enthroned  in  it  is  the 
Lord  God  omnipotent  >  whose  smile  cheers 
and  gladdens  every  part  of  his  dominions,  and 
whose  mere  frown  would  sink  inio  perdition 
the  first  opposer  of  his  reign.  Besides,  all  the 
inhabitants  of  heaven  are  perfectly  loyal  to  Je- 
sus Jehovah  as  their  Sovereign  ;  their  hearts 
glow  with  love  to  his  person,  with  gratitude 
for  his  grace,  and  with  zeal  for  his  honor  ; 
and  his  implacable  enemies  will  be  bound  in 
everlasting  chains,  and  driven  from  his  pre- 
sence. This  complete  triumph  over  all  op- 
position was  secured  by  Messiah  upon  his 
cross,  and  will  be  consummated  at- the  end  of 
this  world.  *'  Death  itself  the  last  enemy  of 
him,  and  his  ransomed  will  then  be  swallowed 
up  in  victory.  He  shall  then  sit  undisturbed' 
upon  his  throne,  and  he  shall  be  a  Priest  upon 
his  throne  :  Of  the  increase  of  his  govern- 
ment and  peace  there  shall  be  no  end  to  order 
it,  and  to  establish  it  with  justice  and  with 
judgment  from  henceforth  even  for  ever. — » 
How  splendid  beyond  conception  is  this  king- 


dom  !  The  monarch  who  oCc^upies  the  throne' 
is  the  King  Eternal,  Immortal,  and  Invisible  : 
The  subjects  are  a  great  multitude  which  no 
man  can  number,  even  ten  thousand,  thousand 
saints,  and  ten  thousand,  thousand  angels  ; 
where  no  jar  shall  ever  be  noticed,  nor  jealou- 
sy ever  felt,  but  harmony  uninterrupted  shall 
reign  forever  ;  where  every  citizen  shall  be 
perfectly  loyal  to  his  Prince,  and  friendly  to 
all  around  him.  '*  Peace,"  to  use  the  elevated 
language  of  a  prophet,  •*peaceivill  forever  run' 
down  like  a  river,  and  righteousness  as  a  flow- 
ing stream." 

The  apostle  peculiarly  designates  it  as  the 
everlasting  kingdom  of  our  Lord  .ncl  Saviour 
Jesus  Christ,  That  portion  of  the  human  fli- 
mily  who  inherit  it  were  the  redeemed  of  his 
blood,  and  brought  back  to  their  allegiance  by 
the  sanctifying  influences  of  his  grace  ;  that 
innumerable  company  of  angels  who  retained 
their  first  estate  were  established  in  holiness^ 
and  happiness  by  him  as  Mediator  :  It  is  pro- 
per therefore  that  as  he  had  the  expence  and 
toil  of  founding  this  kingdom  he  should  have 
the  honor  of  dispensing  its  privileges.  This 
glory  was  conferred  upon  the  Redeemer  at  his 
resurrection,  and  more  fully  after  his  ascen- 
sion  on  high.  '*  The  Father  loveth  the  Son 
and  hath  committed  all  thir:gs  into  his  hand.'* 
In  him  as  thtir  common  center,  men  and  an-- 
gels  are  united,  and  to  Him  they  will  be  ever- 
lastino'lv  subordinate.  *'  Because  he  became 
obedient    unto  death,   even  the  death  of  the 


Scrmo7i  -13.  323 

cross,  God  also  hath  highly  exalted  him,  and 
before  him  t\cvy  knee  shall  bow  of  things  in 
heaven,  and    things  on  earth  :   Thrones  and 
dominions,  and  principalities  and  powers  are 
made  subject  unto  him"  in  his  mediatorial  ca- 
pacity  and  *'  he  is  head  over  all  things  unto 
the  church  which  is  .his  body."    The  peculiar 
-manner    in  which  this    kingdom  of  Messiah 
will  be  administered  in  the  heavenly  state  we 
cannot  conceive  at  present.     It  will  not  be  by 
ordinances,  by  the  reading,  or  preaching  of 
the  word,  or  by  visible  seals  of  the  covenant, 
as  in  this  elenientary  state  :    The    righteous 
will  then  have  attained  the  stature  of  perfect 
men  ;  they  will  be  fully  grown  both  in  know- 
ledge, and  sanctification,  and  therefore   will 
not  at  all  require  these  external  aids.     All  or- 
dinances will  then  be  done  away  as  the  scaf- 
folding is  removed  when  the  building  is  com- 
pleted, or   as  the  necessity  of  the  tutor  and 
governor  is  superseded  when  the  heir  has  at- 
tained the  perfection  of  manhood.     The  lamb 
in  the   midst  of  the  throne  without  the  inter- 
vention of  outward  means  shall  feed  them, and 
lead  them  unto  living  fountains  of  waters,  and 
God  shall  be  all,  and  in  all. 

An  entrance  shall  be  ministered  to  you. 
The  word  translated  ministered  is  rarely  used 
in  the  New- Testament,  and  is  pecuiiiirly  em- 
phatic :  It  literally  signifies  to  convey  or  con- 
duct along  v/ith  the  liand  :  It  is  designed  to 
express  not  only  the  certainty  of  tht:ir  en- 
trance,   but  that   ceremony,  or   pomp  witJi 


324  Sermon  13. 

which  they  shall  enter  the  portals  of  glory  ;  as 
we  are  ready  to  lead  by  the  hand  into  our  hou- 
-ses  a  person  whom  we  highly  esteem,  and  to 
whom  we  give  the  most  cordial  welcome  ; 
they  shall  be  introduced  to  that  kingdom  with 
every  possible  expression  of  honor,  as  the 
conqueror  is  brought  to  receive  the  palm  of 
victory  which  he  has  won,  or  as  the  Prince  is 
introduced  to  the  possession  of  that  throne  of 
which  he  is  legally  an  heir.  "  With  gladness 
and  rejoicing  shall  they  be  brought ;  they 
shall  enter  into  the  King's  palace." 

This  entrance  shall  be  nwiistered  to  them 
by  the  Everlasting  Father,  who  had  appointed 
them  to  that  kingdom.  He  who  had  known 
them  by  name,  and  sirname  ages  before  their 
persons  existed,  and  in  his  unmerited  love 
had  ordained  them  to  this  glory  ;  who  had  gi- 
ven his  Son  to  expiate  their  guilt  with  his  sa- 
crifice, and  to  jrrocure  their  title  by  the  obedi- 
ence of  his  life  ;  who  had  repeated  to  them  in 
his  word  the  promises  of  his  good  will,  and 
afforded  them  again  and  again  the  foretastes  of 
future  bliss,  he  will  w^elcome  these  heirs  of 
salvation  to  that  rest  which  was  prepared  for 
them,  and  in  their  admission  he  will  behold 
his  purposes  respecting  them  literally  accom- 
plished. Does  he  pursue  the  prodigal  Son 
from  day  to  day,  and  by  ordinance  after  or- 
dinance :  docs  he  rejoice  at  his  repentance, 
and  return  ;  does  he  fall  upon  his  neck,  and 
embrace  him  with  every  mark  of  affection, 
M'iih  much  greater  transports  of  joy  will  he 


Sermon  13.  325 

hall  his  translation  from  this  miserable  world 
to  those  regions  where  neither  sin  nor  sorrow 
shall  ever  enter. 

An  entrance  will  be  also  ministered  to  them 
by  the  Infinite  Surety  who  interposed  and  re- 
deemed them.  He  who  undertook  from  eter- 
nity in  their  covenant  room  ;  who  '*  rejoiced  in 
the  habitable  parts  of  the  earth/*  looking  for- 
ward with  delight  to  this  world  as  the  thea- 
tre on  which  he  should  bring  glory  to  his  Fa- 
ther, and  salvation  to  us  ;  who  stooped  to  be 
clothed  with  our  nature  when  degraded  by 
transgression  ;  who  stood  forth  for  years  to 
heaven,  and  earth,  and  hell  a  spectacle  of  re- 
proach andsufFering  without  a  comparison,  all 
to  procure  this  kingdom,  will  cordially  wel- 
come them  to  the  full  fruition  of  its  immuni- 
ties ;  he  knows  by  experience  the  dreariness 
of  this  wilderness  and  will  rejoice  in  seeing 
them  emerge  from  its  gloom ;  he  knows  the 
fiery  opposition  which  they  are  often  called  to 
encounter,  and  will  exult  to  behold  them  la- 
den with  the  honors  of  victory,  and  wearing 
the  crown  of  glory  ;  he  knows  the  innumera- 
ble instances  in  which  their  faith  was  stagger- 
ed, and  their  hopes  clouded,  and  will  rejoice 
to  behold  these  graces  exchanged  for  the  im- 
mediate vision,and  fruition  of  their  Father?;  he 
will  stand  on  the  threshold  of  glory  and  meet 
them  with  the  invitation,  "  come  ye  blessed  ;. 
ye  have  followed  me  in  the  regeneration  ;  I 
now  appoint  unto  you  a  kingdom  even  as  my 
Father  also  appointed  unto  me  ;"  All  this  is 
2   D 


326  Sermon  IS. 

but  the  commencement  of  their  felicity.  Je- 
sus the  Mediator  will  everlastingly  rejoice  in 
them,  and  over  them  as  redeemed  at  the  ex- 
pence  of  his  bloody  and  the  travail  of  his  soul. 

An  entrance  will  also  be  7ni?nstered  Xhtro. 
by  theKvcr  blessed  Spirit,  their  sanctifier,  and 
comforter,  and  guide.  He  who  had  visited 
them  V.  hen  they  were  lying  in  their  blood,  in 
all  the  odiousness  and  wretchedness  of  their 
natural  condition,  and  said  unto  them  live  5 
uho  had  washed  them  from  innumerable  pol- 
lutions ;  who  had  supported  them  amidst  iur 
numerable  difficulties  ;  who  had  soothed  them 
amidst  innumerable  sorrows  ;  who  had  con- 
ducted them  for  days,  and  months,  and  years 
amidst  the  discouragements  of  this  world, 
sanctifying,  assisting  and  consoling  them  as 
their  circumstances  required,  he  will  minister 
to  them  an  abundant  entrance  into  those  joys 
for  which  he  had  prepared  them,  and  the  fore- 
tastes of  which  he  had  often  communicated  to 
them  in  this  world  :  He  had  formerly  conse- 
crated them  as  the  temple  of  his  residence  on 
earth  ;  he  had  long  dwelt  in  them  as  the  Spi- 
rit of  light,  of  liberty,  of  hope,  and  he  will 
cordially  introduce  them  to  reside  in  his  tem- 
ple above ;  there  he  will  cheer  them  with  the 
light  of  everlasting  day, and  will  communicate 
all  those  consolations  which  their  enlarged, 
and  ever- enlarging  powers  are  capable  of  re- 
ceiving. 

This  entrance  will  also  h^  ministered ioXhcm, 
by  all  the  angels  of  God.     These  hosts  of  hea- 


Sermon  15.  527 

ven  had  rejoiced  at  their  repentance,  and  re- 
turn to  the  service  of  their  Creator  ;  they  had 
beheld  them  with  deep  concern  laboring  iin- 
der  the  frailties  of  nature,  and  the  afflictions 
which  are  common   to  man   m  this  militant 
state;  they  had  sympathised  with  them, so  tar 
as  one  unembodied  spirit  is  capable  of  sympa- 
thising with  another  ;  they  had  probably  wit- 
nessed  with  solicitude  their  occasional  depaiv 
tures  from  the   holy  commandments,     their 
indifference   in    the   work  of  the   Lord    and 
their  want  of  gratitude  for  his  love.     With 
what  acclamations  of  joy  will  these  holy  an- 
^els  hail  the  passage  of  just  men  made  per- 
fect    from     the    pollutions,     and   mortihca- 
tions,  and  sorrows  of  this  life  to  that  world  of 
unmingled    puritv,   and   uninterrupted  joy  ^ 
They  'who  opened  wide  the  gates  of  glorv, 
and  ministered  to  the  entrance  of  Jesus  the 
Forerunner,  will  also  stand  ready  to  aid  at  the 
entrance  of  his  living  members.  ^       ^        ,      _ 
It  might  also  be  added  that  the  church  of 
the  first   born  in  heaven  will  7ninister  to   the 
entrance   of  these   kindred   spirits   into  their 
Father's  kingdom  :  Although  many  of  these 
blessed   inhabitants  had  long  since  received 
the  end  of  their  faith,   and  participated  in  the 
iovs  of  their  Lord,  yet  they  have  a  fresh  re* 
collection  of  the  vanities  of  this  world  ;  they 
know   the     sorrows    which   must    be  endu- 
red  ;  the  temptations  that  must  be  resistea  ; 
the  toils  that  are  experienced  in  the  labors  ot 
life  ;  the   imperfection  both   of  our  services 


528  Sermon  13. 

and  joys  ;  this  conflict  they  enclurcd  them- 
selves, and  still  therefore  know  the  heart  of  a 
stranger  :  Thus  they  long  for  our  perfection, 
and  exult  when  the  period  of  it  arrives:  They 
hail  with  transports  of  joy  the  entrance  of 
J^indred  spirits  into  that  world  where  the  ser- 
vice of  Jehovah  will  be  their  perfect  liberty  ; 
where  every  cloud  shall  be  dissipated  by  the 
radiance  of  Jesus  as  their  Sun,  and  a  full  tide 
of  bliss  from  the  throne  of  God,  and  of 
the  Lamb  shall  flow  fonh  for  their  enjoy- 
ment. Such  is  the  constitution  of  man  that 
our  happiness  is  enhanced  when  participated 
by  those  in  whose  welfare  Vv^e  feel  interested  ; 
and  no  doubt  the  admission  of  every  saint  to 
the  joys  of  heaven  will  be  a  new  source  of 
blessedness  to  all  who  have  entered  before. 
They  shall  come  from  the  East,  and  from  the 
West,  from  the  North,  and  from  the  South, 
and  shall  sit  down  with  Abraham,  and  Isaac, 
and  Jacob  in  the  kingdom  of  God,  rejoicing 
with  each  other,  and  mingling  their  acclama- 
tions to  him  who  loved  them,  and  washed 
them  from  their  sins  in  his  blood. 

This  entrance  shall  be  ministered  to  them 
abundantly,  or  as  it  may  be  translated  richly^ 
It  is  mentioned  of  some  that  "  they  shall  seek 
to  enter  in,  and  shall  not  be  able  :'*  They 
were  not  willing  to  come  in  exclusively  by  that 
door  which  is  opened  in  the  gospel,  that  is 
the  mediation  of  the  Eternal  Son  who  alone  is 
**  the  way,  and  the  truth,  and  the  life."  They 
depended  partly  on  their  own  performances. 


Sermon  13>  329 

and  would  not  stoop  to  be  wholl}^  indebted  to 
divine  grace  as  it  m^//^ through  the  Saviour's 
cross,  and  therefore  they  are  not  admitted  at 
all :  They  rested  satisfied  with  an  empty  form 
of  religion  ;  with  running  the  rotine  of  duty, 
but  never  secured  its  power  by  "  repentance 
towards  God,  and  faith  towards  our  Lord  Je- 
sus Christ  ;"  and  consequently  their  expec- 
tations were  disappointed.  "  Except  a  man  be 
born  again  he  cannot  enter  this  kingdom  of 
God  Many  who  are  first  in  their  own  esti- 
mation ;  who  like  the  Pharisee  console  them- 
selves that  they  are  not  extortioners,  that  they 
prai/  often,  and  pai/  tithes  of  all  winch  thc}'- 
possess  ;"  many  such  will  be  lowest  in  the 
estimation  of  God,  and  excluded  at  last  from 
the  immunities  of  his  kingdom. 

We  read  of  others  who  are  scarcely  saved, 
or  saved  as  by  Jire.     As  members  of  the  Re- 
deemer,  and  therefore  interested  in   his  un- 
changing covenant,  they  cannot  possibly  pe- 
rish ;  their  title    to    the   heavenly    kingdom 
through  his  atonement,  and  obedience  is  una- 
lienable, and  their  entrance  is  secured  beyond 
the  possibility  of  failure.     "  He  that  belie veth 
on  the  Son  hath  everlasting  life,  and  shall  not 
enter  into  condemjiation  :"  Yet  they  minded 
too  much  their  own  things,  their  own  interests 
and   enjoyments,  and  neglected  the  things  of 
Jesus  Christ ;  dieir  hearts  were  not  dulv  en- 
liamed  with  his  love,  nor  zealous  for  his  glo- 
ry ;  they  did  not  spend  of  tliat  affluence  which 
a  bounteous  God  had  given  them  in  diffusing 
2  D  2 


5S0  Sermon  13. 

the  knowledge  of  his  name,  or  ministering  to 
the  necessities  of  his  saints  ;  they  were  not 
diligent  in  promoting  their  own  graces,  or 
exhorting,  and  encouraging  others  to  seek  the 
Lord,  and  therefore  aUhough  they  are  saved, 
they  are  scarcely  saved  ;  they  do  not  enjoy 
that  abundant  entrance  into  the  kingdom,  nor 
that  exceeding  weight  of  glory  which  might 
have  been  secured  by  greater  earnestness,  and 
disinterestedness  in  his  cause.  *^  They  sow^- 
td  sparingly,''  as  it  is  expressed  by  the  apos- 
tle, *'  and  therefore  they  shall  reap  sparingly  :"' 
They  were  not  active  in  promoting  die  honor 
of  God,  and  therefore  he  will  not  be  so  liberal 
in  bestowing  honors  upon  them. 

To  others,  it  is  here  promised,  that  '*  an  en- 
trance shall  be  given  abundantly  ;  they  were 
industrious  in  occupying  the  talents  with  v*  hich 
the  Lord  God  had  intrusted  them  ;  they  were 
frequent  in  supplication  for  blessings  on  them- 
selves, and  for  the  prosperity  of  Zion  through- 
out the  world ;  they  entertained  affecting 
conceptions  of  the  grace  of  our  Lord  Jesus, 
and  therefore  felt  constrained  to  disinterested 
exertions  for  the  advancement  of  his  cause  ; 
they  followed  him  through  glory, and  reproach, 
maintaining  their  profession  of  his  name  at  the 
hazard  of  aii  ihat  was  dear  in  this  vrorld,  and 
to  such  through  the  exceeding  riches  of  his 
mercy  '*  an  entrance  shall  be  ministered  a- 
hundantly.  Every  sacrifice  of  ease,  or  inter- 
est, which  is  now  made  in  the  cause  of  Jesus, 
shall  hereafter  be  recollected,  and  rewarded 


Scnnon  13.  331 

an  hundred  fold.  We  thus  behold  him  look- 
ing  round  on  hisclisciples  when  collected  toge- 
ther, and  asking  them,  "  who  then  is  that 
faithful  and  wise  servant  whom  his  Lord  will 
make  ruler  over  ail  his  house  r'  To  such  he 
will  offer  a  seat  near  to  himself  upon  the 
throne,  and  dispense  crowns  of  pre-eminimt 
lustre.  By  this  assurance  of  a  future  reward 
for  their  services  the  Divine  Redeemer  makes 
his  appeal  to  the  hopes,  may  I  not  add,  to  the 
ambition  of  his  followers  :  He  encourages 
theni  to  remain  **  stedfast,  immovable,  '  nei. 
ther  lured  by  the  false  smiles,  nor  shaken  by 
the  reproach  or  persecution  of  the  world,  from 
the  consideration  ''  that  their  labors  shall  not 
be  in  vain  in  the  Lord.'  He  thus  exhorts  us 
to  ''  make  to  ourselves  friends  of  the  mam- 
mon of  unrighteousness  ;"  to  convert  to  pur- 
poses of  piety  and  charity  the  wealth  of  this 
world  which  is  often  acquired  by  unrighteous 
means,  and  is  at  best  perishable  in  its  nature, 
*'  that  when  these  faiP'the  poorof  Jesus  whom 
we  have  relieved  "  may  receive  us  into  ever- 
lasting habitations."  The  same  animating 
trudi  is  taught  in  this  chapter  from  w*hich  our 
text  is  selected.  "  Giving  all  diligence  add 
to  your  faith  virtue  ;  see  that  you  possess  a 
genuine  faitli^  a  cordial  reliance  on  Jesus  Je- 
hovah for  righteousness,  and  sanctification, 
and  support.  This  is  the  cardinal  grace,  and 
without  it  you  can  no  more  expect  holi- 
ness here,  or  happiness  hereafter,  than  you 
can  expect  a  solid  buperstructure  without  lay- 


^-n  Sermon   15. 

ing  the  foundation,  or  a  flourishing  branch 
■without  union  to  the  vine.  And  to  this  faith 
virtue^  a  becoming  niagnaniniity,  a  holy  he- 
roism in  the  cause  of  your  Master,  not  terrifi- 
ed either  by  the  nuniber,  cr  power,  or  rage  of 
your  adversaries  :  And  to  your  virtue  know- 
ledge ;  let  a  manly  courage  in  the  cause  of 
your  Lord  he  connected  with  prudence  in 
every  part  of  your  conduct,  and  with  a  grow- 
ing knowledge  of  liis  person,  and  of  that  glo- 
ry which  is  to  be  reverJed  at  his  second  ap- 
pearing :  I^xid  ta your  knowledge  temperance^ 
shew  your  moderation  to  all  men  in  ail  things  ; 
mortify  the  "  lust  cf  the  flesh,  and  the  lust  of 
the  eye,  '  and  like  holy  men  in  former  ages, 
"  put  on  the  onuiment  of  a  meek  and  quiet 
spirit;  which  is  in  the  sight  of  God  of  great 
price  :'  And  to  your  temperance  patience^ 
exercise  a  becoming  submission  under  all  the 
discouragements  of  life  ;  recollect  in  the  hour 
of  trial  that  these  aiEictions  are  short  in  their 
duration,  and  will  issue  in  an  exceeding  and' 
eternal  weight  of  glory  :  And  to  patience 
Godliness^  aspire  after  more  exalted  concep- 
tions of  his  glory  and  grace,  of  the  tender  re- 
lation in  which  he  stands  to  you  as  your  Cre- 
ator and  Redeemer,  and  of  your  reasonable 
obligation  to  adore  and  love  him  \  And  to- 
Godliness  brotherly  kindness,  "'  cut  of  love  to 
Him  who  begat  love  ardently  those  who  are 
begotten  of  him  ;  love  as  brethren,  "as  redeem- 
ed by  the  same  blood,  as  adopted  into  the 
same  family,  and  heirs  of  one  incorruptible  in- 


Sermon  IS.  333 

hcritance  :  And  to  brotherly  kindness  chari- 
ty ;  consider  this  kist  as  among  the  most  im- 
portanty  and  cwnamental  graces,  and  through 
its  influence  be  always  ready  to  distribute  to 
the  necessities,  and  to  cover  with  a  mantle  of 
love  the  imperfections  of  each  other  :  *'  if  ye 
do  these  things — an  entrance  shall  be  minis- 
tered to  you  abundant/y  ;"  your  evening  sim 
will  go  down  in  glory,  and  your  reward  will 
be  grevTt  through  eternity  in  the  kingdom  of 
your  Father. 

Such  consolation  is  secured  as  the  final  re- 
ward of  all  those  who  by  "  patient  conlinuing 
in  well  doing  seek  for  glory,  and  honor,  and 
immortality  :'  And  who  that  hibs  realised  the 
value  of  the  soul  ;  who  that  has  tasted  the 
pleasures  of  religion  ;  who  that  has  reflected 
on  the  importance  of  things  eternal  would  not 
be  earnest  in  pressing  after  such  a  hope  ? 
Who  would  not  watch  ;  who  would  not  pray  ; 
who  would  not  diligeatly  search  the  scrip, 
tures  'y  who  would  not  conscientiously  sancti- 
fy the  sabbath  ;  who  would  not  industriously 
attend  every  ordinance  of  divine  grace  as  a 
mean  of  preparing  for  a  consummation  thus 
blessed  and  honorable  ?  It  was  this  prospect 
which  roused  the  apostle  to  such  earnestness  ia- 
*^  making  sure  his  own  calling  and  election," 
and  in  promxOting  th<;  salvation  of  others. — 
''  I  press  toward  the  mark  for  the  prize  of  the 
high  calling  of  God  in  Christ  Jesus  :  Neither 
count  I  my  life  dear  unto  myself,  so  that  I 
might  finish  my  course'with  joy,  and  the  miii.. 


S54  Sermon  13. 

istry  which  I  have  received  of  the  Lord  Jesus 
to  testify  the  gospel  of  the  grace  of  God/'— ^ 
The  christian  thus  prepared  may  not  only  be 
reconciled  to  the  prospect  of  death,  but  may 
rrasonably  long  for  the  moment  of  its  arrival. 
If  the  traveller  is  impatient  until  he  reaches 
his  own  home,  or  if  the  bride  rejoices  in  the 
prospect  of  having  the  nuptials  solemnized, 
or  if  the  heir  waits  with  solicitude  for  the  ac- 
tual enjoyment  of  the  inheritance  which  is 
promised  him,  much  rather  may  the  spiritual 
pilgrim  exult  at  every  thought  of  attaining  his 
celestial  home.  There  **  everlasting  joy  shall 
be  upon  his  head  ;  he  shall  obtain  joy,  and 
gladness,  and  sorrow^  and  sighing  shall  flee  a- 
way.  WhereforCj  beloved,  seeing  that  ve 
look  for  such  things,  be  diligent  that  ye  may 
be  found  of  him  in  i:eace." 

I  humbly  hope  that  you  are  all  impressed 
with  the  importance  of  activity  in  working 
out  your  salvation,  and  aspiring  daily  after 
higher  attainments  in  faith,  and  hope,  and  cha- 
rity, and  every  grace  of  the  Spirit.  The  great 
means  of  your  advancement  in  sanctification 
and  comfort  have  been  proposed  in  the  fore- 
going discourses,  and  with  these  I  now  affec- 
tionately leave  you  :  In  a  due  attendance  upoii 
them  and  supplication  to  the  Holy  Ghost  for 
his  sealing,  and  supporting  influences  you 
shall  never  fall :  Let  those  especially, Vv  ho  have 
long  enjoyed  the  ordinances  of  religion,  and 
feel  in  the  encreasing  infirmities  of  nature  the 
presages  of  approaching  dissolution,  be  more 


Sermon  13.  335 

zealous  to  •'  abound  in  the  work  of  the  Lord.*' 
The  parent  expects  more  service  from  a  son 
who  has  nearly  reached  the  perfection  of  man- 
hood than  from  one  who  is  yet  in  childhood 
or  infancy  :  The  husbandman  looks  for  a 
greater  abundance  of  fruit  from  a  tree  which 
has  stood  long  in  the  vineyard,  and  which  has 
been  cultivated  with  particular  care  than  from 
one  which  he  has  lately  transplanted  into  his 
nursery  :  Thus  the  farther  we  advance  in  the 
spiritual  life,  and  the  more  favorable  means 
of  edification  that  we  enjoy,  the  greater  reve- 
nue of  glory  we  should  aim  at  bringing  to  our 
covenant  God,  the  more  fervent  we  should 
become  in  prayer,  the  more  edifying  in  our 
conversation,  the  more  devout  and  heavenly 
in  our  thoughts. 

Now  unto  him  who  is  able  to  keep  you  from 
fallings  and  present  you  faultless  before  the 
presence  of  his  glory  with  exceeding  joy  :  To 
the  only  wise  God  our  Saviour  who  purchased 
the  kingdom,  with  the  Eternal  Father  who 
j^/T/jflr^^and  bequeathes  it,  and  the  Co-Equal 
Spirit  who  sanctifies  and  makes  meet  for  en- 
joying it,  be  glory  in  the  Jnghest  throughout 
all  ages  xvorld  without  end,     Ame  n. 


''  LET  God  the  Father  live 
Forever  on  our  tongues  : 

Sinners  from  his  first  love  derive 
The  ground  of  all  their  songs. 


336  Sermon  13, 

**  Ye  saints,  employ  your  breath 

In  honor  to  the  Son, 
Who  bought  your  souls  from  hell  and  death, 

By  cff'riiTg  up  his  own. 

^*  Give  to  the  Spirit  praise 

Of  an  immortal  strain. 
Whose  light,  and  pow^r,  and  grace  conveys 

Salvation  down  to  men. 

<*  While  God  the  Comforter 

Reveals  our  pardon'd  sin, 
O  may  the  blood  and  water  bear 

The  same  record  within  ! 

^'  To  the  great  One  in  Three, 
That  seals  this  grace  in  heav'n, 

The  Father,  Son,  and  Spirit,  be 
Eternal  glory  giv'n." 


OUR  DANGER  AND  DUTY: 

TWO  SERMONS, 

DELIVERED   ON    WEDNESDAY,  THE  30tU 
DAY  OF  NOVEMBER.   1808. 

BEING      A    DAY    APPOINTED     BY    THE 

PRESBYTERY  OF  WASHINGTON 

FOR     THE     EXERCISES    OF 

FASTING,    HUMILIATION    AND 
PRAYER, 

ON  ACCOUNT  OF  THE  ALARMING  ASPECT 

OF  DIVINE   PROVIDENCE  TO 

OUR   COUNTRY. 


THE     SECOND    EDITION. 


If  the  trumpet  give  an  uncertain  sound  ivh^ 
shall  prepare  himself  to   the  battle  ? 

1,    COR.    XIV.   8. 

2    E 


SERMON  XIV. 

■  ^f^  ■ 

JEREMIAH    V.    29. 

Shall  not  my  soul  be  avenged  on  such  a  nation 
as  this* 

THIS  prophet  appeared  in  a  very  de- 
generate period  of  the  Jewish  church.  Every 
order  of  that  people,  from  the  humble  peasant 
to  the  prince  on  the  throne,  had  apostatized 
from  the  true  God,  and  had  lost  that  simpli- 
city in  his  worship,  and  that  zeal  for  his  name 
■which  were  their  former  characteristic  and 
glory.  I'he  mass  of  the  people,  '*  forsakini^ 
the  Lord  God  of  their  fathers,''  hsd  mingled 
in  all  the  absurdities  of  the  idolatry  of  the  na- 
tions around  them  :  their  princes  **  did  evil 
in  the  sight  of  Jehovah,*'  and  no  longer  ruled 
for  his  glory,  or  the  good  of  their  subjects  ; 
even  those  who  were  called  to  minister  at  the 
ultar  degraded  both  themselves  and  their  of- 
fice I  y  a  servile,  corrupt,  mercenary  spirit  : 
''  The  sun  had  also  gone  down  upon  their 
prophets  ;  these  lights  of  Israel"  were  now 
darkened  through  error  of  principle,  and  li- 
centiousness of  practice  ;  instead  of  stemming 
the  torrent  of  general  defection  by  exposing 
with  a  holy  heroism  the  iniquities  of  all  clas- 
ses, they  rolled  along  wi.h  the  stream,  and 
rather  tended  to  swell  and  infuriate  it  *'  by 
prophecy ing  a  fclse  vision,  and  the  deceit  of 
the  ir  own  hearts."  There  is  not  a  more  cm  fid 
presage  of  speedy  destiuction  to  a  nation  than. 


Scnnon  14.  53Q 

Vv'fien,  as  the  prophet  expresses  it,  **  there  is 
like  people  like  priest  ;"  when  corruption  of 
manners  generally  prevails,  and  the  messen- 
gers of  the  Lord  of  hosts  have  neither  firmness 
nor  fidelity  to  make  an  open  opposition. 

The  Lord  God,  grieved  and  provoked  with 
these  abominations,  gently,  yet  severely  re- 
minds Israel  of  her  former  zeal  for  his  glory, 
and  his  delight  in  her  as  his  peculiar  people. 
**  I  remember  thee,  the  kindness  of  thy  youth, 
and  the  love  of.  thine  espousals  :  Israel  was 
holiness  to  the  Lord,  and  the  first  fruits  of 
his  increase."  He  then  appeals  to  heaven 
and  earth,  whether  an  example  of  such  ingra- 
titude and  obstinacy  could  be  found  in  any  o- 
ther  nation.  *'  Hast  thou  seen  that  which 
backsliding  Israel  hath  done  :  she  is  gone 
up  upon  every  high  mountain  and  under  eve- 
ry green  tree,  and  there  hath  played  the  har- 
lot :  and  I  said  after  she  had  done  all  these 
things,  turn  thou  unto  me,  but  she  returned 
not :  their  transgressions  are  many,  and  their 
backslidings  are  increased,  how  shall  I  par- 
don thee  fo^'  this?'  At  last  worn  out  with 
their  iniquities,  and  resolved  to  make  a  full 
end  of  them  as  a  people  altogether  incorrigi- 
ble, Jehovah  calls  upon  Jeremiah  to  arise  and 
at  the  peril  of  his  own  soul  not  to  refuse  dc- 
nouncing  their  doom  ;  '*  thou  therefore  gird 
up  thy  loins  and  arise  and  speak  unto  theni 
all  that  I  command  thee  ;  be  not  dismayed  at 
their  faces,  lest  I  confound  thee  before  them. 
Shall  not  I  visit  for  these  things    saith   the 


^-iO  Sermon  14. 

Lord  ;''  '^  Is  not  my  wrath  revealed  from  hea-- 
vcn  against  all  unrighteousness  and  ungodli- 
ness of  man  ?  Can  I  consistently  with  the  pu- 
rity and  rectitude  of  my  nature  ;  can  I  (Con- 
sistently with  my  character  as  the  moral  gov- 
ernor of  the  world  pass  by  with  impunity  these 
wanton,  these  repeated,  these  gross  violations 
of  my  law  ?  ''  Shall  not  my  soul  be  avenged 
on  such  a  nation  as  this  ?" 

You  will  readily  notice  that  the  expression, 
*'  shall  not  my  soul  be  avenged," 'is  rather 
uncommon  ;  it  is  used  after  the  manner  of 
men  and  represents  the  great  God  as  earnest- 
ly and  unalterably  bent  on  his  purpose  ;  it  is 
designed  to  express  both  the  certainty  and  ihe 
severity  of  the  judgments  to  be  executed  on 
infatuated  Israel. 

This  day  v/as  set  apart  for  the  solemn  ex- 
ercises of  fasting,  humiliation  and  prayer  on 
account  of  the  alarming  aspect  of  providence 
to  our  country.  We  are  not  called  merely  to 
deprecate  that  wrath  which  apparently  hangs 
over  our  nation  ;  they  are  greatly  mistaken 
who  imagine  that  this  should  be  our  only,  or 
even  our  principal  exercise  :  we  ought  to  be 
deeply  impressed  that  our  national  offences 
are  the  cause  of  our  national  calamities  ;  we 
ought  impartially  to  examine  what  transgres- 
sions on  our  part  has  kindled  ''  this  hot  dis- 
pleasure :"  to  acknowledge  the  righteous- 
ness of  Jehovah  in  all  the  judgments  with 
which  we  are  threatened  ;  to  improve  by  faith 
the  atonement  of  his  Eternal  Son  as  the  only 


Sermon  14.  341 

mean  of  our  reconciliation  ;  to  return  to  him 
in  the  exercise  of  unfeigned  repentance,  and 
then  earnestly  to  plead  with  an  offended  God 
that  *'  in  the  midst  of  wrath  he  would  re- 
member mercy." 

In  order  to  assist  you  in  these  important 
exercises  it  may  be  proper, 

L  To  consider  those  cruTies  with  which  as 
a  nation  we  are  obviously  chargeable — and 

II.  Those  evidences  of  divine  vengeance 
which  we  have  occasionally  felt  and  under 
which  we  now  suffer. 

1.  As  a  nation,  we  are  chargeable  with 
shameful  ingratitude  for  privileges  enjoyed. 
It  must  be  fresh  in  your  own  recollection 
when  the  spot  where  we  now  worship  was 
ravaged  by  the  incursions  of  a  formidable, 
unpiting  foe  ;  when  the  murderous  savage 
with  his  tomahawk  and  scalping  knife  prowl- 
ed around  your  dwellings,  often  piercing  your 
souls  with  his  terrific  yells  ;  when  the  doors 
of  your  sanctuary  were  shutup;  when  your  ha- 
bitations* were' left  desolate;   when  the  son, 

*  The  British  army  under  (he  command  (f  Gen. 
Burgoynt,  in  their  descent  from  Canada,  marched 
along  the  Hudson  rivtr,  about  sixteen  mites  to  the 
u est  of  Salem  ;  bat  small  detachments  of  the  tntmy 
penetrated  that  and  the  neiithborin:*-  io:vns,  p/uuder- 
iug  the  inhahitanis  :  Parties  of  Indians  also  sallied 
cut  thiough  these  settlements,  and  murdered  a  -Jihole 

jamily  in  the  viemiti/  of  Salem  :  and  the  town  was 
almost  entirely  evacuated  in  August  of  ll~,l,  when 
the  inhabitants,  through  apprehension  oj  tt:(  encmi/f 

Jitd  for  shdter  into  the  interior  if  the  eountiy. 
2  e2 


342  Sermon  14. 

torn  from  the  arms  of  his  mother,  and  the  hus- 
band from  the  embraces  of  his  wife,  were  ex- 
posed to  the  toils  and  dangers  of  the  field  ;  and 
you  were  driven  to  strangers  for  a    miserable 
shelter  from  the  inclemency  of  the  season.     In 
that  hour  of  peril    and  panic,  the    avenger  of 
wrongs  interposed  in  your  behalf ;  disconcer- 
ted the  adversary  ;    crowned  with  victory  e- 
qually   unexpected  and  signal*  your   feeble 
exertions,  and    restored  you  to  the   peaceful 
possession  of  your  own    habitations.       Since 
the  revolutionary    war,  which   terminated  in 
the  independence    of  our  country,   we    have 
enjoyed  a  degree  of  p/osperity  without  a  pa- 
rallel in  the  history  of  any  nation  :  We  are  fa- 
vored with  a  constitution  probably  the  most 
mild,  the  most  equitable,  and  while  support- 
ed by  public  virtue,  the  most  diffusive  of  ge- 
neral happiness  that  was  ever  framed  by  man. 
While  our  ears  have  often  heard  the  thunder 
of  distant  war  ;    while    almost  every    arrival 
upon  our  coasts  has  brought  the  intelligence 
of  the  murderous  battle  fought ;  of  other  wives 
made  widows,  and  other  children  fatherless  ; 
of  old  kingdoms  convulsed,  and  new  empires 
erected  on  their  ruins, our  peace  has  been  unin- 
terrupted :  "  We  have  eat  every  man  of  his  own 
vine,  and  every  one  of  his  fig  tree,  and  drank 
every  one  of  the  waters  of  his  cistern,"  with- 
out any  to  annoy  or  alarm  :   While  famine  has 

-^  The  memorable  defeat  and  capture  of  Gin.  Bur^ 
croyne  i^ok  place  about  the  \lth  of  October,  when  ihs 
inlidbiianis  reiurned  to  their  c^'n posstsiwns. 


Sermon  14.  34o 

waved  her  scourge  over  other  countries  and 
driven  thousands  of  the  inhabitants  lo  the  ne- 
cessity of  begging  their  bread,   we  have  lite- 
rally  rolled  in\voridly  amuencc  ;  our  soil  un- 
der the  husbandman's  cultivation  has  yielded 
a  rich  profusion  of  fruits,  and  our  commerce 
has   wafted  upon  our  shores  the  productions 
of  every  foreign  clime.     These  outward  pri- 
vileges  have  been  crowned  with  the  infinitely 
more  precious  means  of  salvation,     ^Ve  have 
enjoyed     "  the  oracles    of   the   living  God" 
in  our  own  language,  and    the  various  ordi- 
nances of  his  worship  in  their  native  simplici- 
ty and  purity.     When  privileges  so  pre-emi- 
nent  are   bestowed  on  a  person  or  a  people, 
returns  of  thanksgiving,  and  obedience  are 
expected  in   proportion;    but  the    blessings 
heaped  upon  us  as  a  nation  have  been  equalled 
only  by  our  ingratitude  and  impiety.       Have 
we  as  individuals,  been  walking  in  the  fear  of 
the  Lord,  regulating  ourselves  by  his  word  as 
the  rule,  and  consulting  his  glory  as  the  high- 
est end  of  our  lives  ?    As  families    have    we 
been  offering  up  the  tribute   of  praise  to  the 
common  Author  of  our  mercies  :  has  each 
been   encouraging  the  other  to  the  perform- 
ance of  every  civil,  and  social,  and  religious 
duty  ;  have  we  been  ''  thus  teaching  and  ad- 
monishing one  another  in  psalms,  and  hymns, 
and  spiritual  songs  ?''  Have  we  as  a    nation 
exceeded  all  others  in  gratitude,  as  we  have 
been  elevated  above  them  in   privilege  ?  As 
citizens,  as  ministers,  as  magistrates  have  we 


344  Scr'mcn   14, 

advanced   hand  in    hand,  each  aiming  at  the 
good  of  the    whole;     and   all  promoting  the 
glory  of  Him  who  raised  us  to    a  rank  so  ex- 
alted among  the  nations  of  the   earth  ?  How 
reverse  have  been  curcharacter,  and  conduct? 
More  ungrateful,  more  infatuated  than   **  Jc- 
shuriin  we  have  waxed  fat ;    we  have  forgot- 
ten the  God  that  made  us,"  "who  redeemed  us 
in  the  hour  of  jeopardy,  "  and  lightly  esteem- 
ed the  reck  of  cur  salvation."     The  distin- 
guishing goodness  of  God  instead  of  leading 
us  to  re]^entance  and   reformation  of  life  has 
produced  |;ride,presumptuousness,  licentious- 
ness cf  principle,  and  profiigacy  of  manners. 
Our  affluence,  which  ought  to  have  flowed  in 
suppl}  ing  the  wants  of  the  indigent  ;   in  sup- 
porting the  ordir.ances  of  religion  ;   in  propa- 
gating the  gospel  through  the  f  ontier  settle- 
ments ;   and   in    conveying  to  the    perishing 
heathen  the  means  of  salvation,  has  been  pros- 
tituted to  luxury  of  living  ;   to  extravagance 
of  dress  ;  to  the  aggrandizement  of  our  fami- 
lies ;   or  in  adding  house  to  house,  and  farm 
to  farmi.     Our    language    has    corresponded 
with   that  of  the  presumptuous   monarch  of 
Egypt,  "  Who  is  t'  e  Lord  that  we  should  o- 
bey  him  ?"  ''  Our  gold,  our  silver,  our  posses- 
sions are  our  own,  and  for  the  gratification  cf 
cur  own  appetites  they  shall  he  employed  " 
Our  ingratitude  is  thus  a  sin  of  high  aggrava- 
tion, and  is  one  cause  why   the  Lord  Gcd  is 
pleading   his   controversy   with   our  land. — 
*'  Hear,  O  heavens^  and  eive  ear,    O  earth, 


Sermon  14.  345 

for  the  Lord  hath  spoken  ;  I  have  nourished 
nnd  brought  up  children,  and  they  have  re- 
belled against  me.  They  have  forsaken  the 
Lord  :  they  have  provoked  the  holy  one  of 
Israel  to  anger,  they  have  gone  away  back- 
ward. '  Might  he  not  in  righteous  indigna- 
tion have  added,  "  Ah,  I  will  ease  mc  of 
mine  adversaries  ;  I  will  avenge  me  of  mine 
enemies  ?" 

2.  Our  daring  impiety  manifested  by  a  con^ 
tempt  of  God,  and  his  ordinances,  is  another 
cause  of  his  controversy  :  one  for  which 
vve  ought  this  day  to  exercise  humiliation  in 
his  sight.  How  is  his  infinitely  venerable 
name  profaned  in  the  unnecessary,  irreverend 
use  of  it  by  some,  and  in  the  impious  oaths 
and  imprecations  of  others  ?  Are  not  his  ordi- 
nances neglected  and  despised  by  many,  who 
live  within  reach  of  the  sanctuary,  and  who, 
by  their  parents,  were  early  devoted  to  his  ser- 
vice in  baptism  ?  Is  not  that  precious  volume 
the  bible  ;  that  volume  which  aftbrds  the  most 
reviving  expressions  of  Jehovah's  love,  and 
constitutes  the  broad  charter  of  all  our  privi- 
leges and  prospects  ;  is  not  that  volume  re- 
garded by  some  with  neglect  and  indifference  ; 
by  others  has  it  not  been  derided  as  the  offs- 
pring of  superstition,  or  priestcraft  ?  Docs  not 
a  licentious  infidelity  obviously  pervade  the 
higher  orders  of  society  in  our  country  ?  Was 
not  that  man  who  has  appeared  as  one  of  the 
most  open,  bold,  unblushing  champions  in  this 
cause  :  who  has  exhausted  his  talents  in  the 


346  Sermon  14. 

derision  of  every  thing  sacred ;  who  has  iitterect 
the  foulest  bh^sphemies,  which  a  polluted  ima- 
gination could  conceive,  against  the  Son  of 
God,  against  his  Person,  against  the  mysteries 
of  his  gospel,  and  the  ministers  of  his  religion  ; 
has  not  that  man  been  invited  to  this  country 
by  the  lei.ding  men  of  our  nation  ;  has  he  not 
been  corresponded  with,  and  caressed  since  his 
arrival  ?  If  this  circumstance  does  not  avov/ 
their  real  enmity  to  the  Saviour  s  cross,  it  at 
least  betrays  an  alarming  indifference  to  its  in- 
terests  :  And  i  am  bold  to  assert  that  those  who 
are  hostile  to  our  religon  cannot  be  the  real 
friends  of  our  liberty,  whatever  be  their  politic 
cal  pretensions.  Divine  revelation  is  the 
great  charter  of  our  rights  as  men,  no  less  than 
of  our  privileges  and  prospects  as  christians  ;- 
it  proclaims  to  man  his  dignified  origin,  as 
**  created  after  the  image  of  God  ;  it  inspires 
the  individual  with  the  most  exalted  sense  of 
his  own  importance,  by  declaring  that  ''  the 
Lord  God  hath  made  of  one  blood  all  men  la 
dwell  upon  the  earth,"  and  consequently  that 
all  are  naturally  possessed  of  certain  equal,  un- 
alienable rights  :  This  constitutes  the  great- 
est possible  security  for  social  order  among 
men  by  enjoining  us  **  to  live  soberly,  righ- 
teously, and  Godly  ;  to  do  justly,  to  love 
mercy,  and  walk  humbly  with  our  God.'* 
These  are  not  the  sentiments  m.erely  of  the 
divine  ;  they  are  maxims  firmly  believed  and 
openly  avowed  by  the  most  accomplished  le- 
giiilalcrs  that  ever  adorned  the  v/orld.     Siif- 


Sermon  14.  347 

lice  it  to  mention  the  observations*  of  Him 
whom  all  revered  as  equally  the  Statesman, 
the  Hero,  the  Patriot  ;  on  whom  the  eyes  of 
every  American  citizen  were  fastemed  as  the 
brightest  ornament  of  our  country  ;  our  pride 
in  peace  ;  our  shield  in  war  ;  and,  under  God, 
the  instrument  of  incalculable  blessings  to  our 
nation.  ''  Of  all  the  dispositions  and  habits 
w^hich  lead  to  political  prosperity,  religion  and 
morality  are  indispensible  supports.  In  vain 
would  that  man  claim  the  tribute  of  patriotism 
who  should  labor  to  subvert  these  great  pil- 
lars of  human  happiness  ;  these  firmest  props 
of  the  duties  of  men  and  citizens  :  The  mere 

*  His  Excellency  George  Washington,  iyi  his 
last  address  to  the  citizens  of  the  United  States. 

*  •  Christ  ia  n  ity,'  'says  Mo  n  fesque,  a  celeb  rated  Fr  en  ch 
writer^  '*  has  prevented  the  establishment  of  despotism 
in  Ethiopia,  notwithstanding  its  situation  in  the  midst 
of  J/rican  despotic  states.'^  And  Hume,  although 
a  maliiinaat  enemy  to  relis>iony  has  acknowledged  thai 
"  the  prciious  sparks  oj  liberty  were  Kindled  hy  the 
puritans  in  En^land^  and  to  them  the  English  ozi^e 
the  zvhols  freedom  of  their  constitui'ton.'*  1  cannot 
help  remarking  that  the  observations  of  these  authors 
are  liberally  exemplified  in  New- England.  There 
is  no  part  oJ  the  christian  world  where  pure  religion 
more  eminently  flourished  than  in  those  states  for  ge- 
7ierations  after  their  first  settlement  :  and  there  is 
•perhaps  no  part  of  the  ^lobe^  where  the  principles  of 
rational  liberty  are  better  understood^  or  more  zenU 
mtsly  vinaicated.  On  the  other  hand,  what  j)i(diahly 
pavrd  the  way  for  the  easy  introduction  cf  despotism 
in  France  than  the  gener^ii  inJiaelUy  ami  licentious^ 
ness  oJ  the  people. 


348  Sermon  14. 

politician  equally  with  the  pious  man  ought 
to  respect,  and  to  cherish  them.  A  volume 
could  not  trace  all  their  connections  with  pri- 
vate and  public  felicity." 

Again,  is  not  the  holy  sabbath,  that  rest 
M'hich  isordainedyjJr  the  people  of  God;  that  in- 
stitution which  is  calculated  to  secure  health  to 
the  body,  no  less  than  happiness  tothe  soul;  that 
institution  which  is  a  lively  memorial  of  the 
resurrection  of  our  crucified  Lord,  and  furn- 
ishes a  constant  pledge  of  our  own  resurrection, 
is  not  this  day  openly  prostituted  without 
a  blush,  and  without  remorse  f  Is  it  not  pro- 
faned by  some  in  idleness  and  amusements  ; 
by  others  in  unnecessary  visits,  and  by  many 
in  the  deliberate  prosecution  of  their  secular 
employments  ?  Is  not  the  peaceful  worshiper 
often  interrupted  and  insulted  as  he  re- 
pairs to,  or  retires  from  the  temple  of  his 
God,  by  the  wanton  transgressors  of  that  sa- 
cred institution  ?  And  does  it  not  render  our 
guilt  more  aggravated,  and  expose  us  to  seve- 
rer vengeance,  that  this  profanation  of  the  Sab- 
bath is  permitted  in  part  by  public  authority  ? 
Our  Legislature*  has  explicitly  provided  that 

*  During  the  discussion  of  a  bill  relating  to  the 
Sabbath,  -Aich  zvas  brought  before  the  Legislature 
some  years  since,  a  member  was  heard  in  the  street 
to  *•  damn  the  Sabbath  and  all  its  advocates.''  J  men- 
tion this  circumstance  merely,  to  shew  that  in  the  elec^ 
iionofthe  unprincipled,  indecent  man  to  public  of- 
fice, we  ?ioi  merely  evince  a  want  of  zeal  for  God,  a 
want  of  concern  J  or  the  interests  offncrality,  but  a 
great  want  of  respect  to  ourselves,     l^etiticns  %n  sup- 


Sermon  14.  349 

removing  his  family,  or  household 
furniture'  shall  be  detained  on  that  day. 
Does  not  this  toleration  virtually  moke  void 
the  command  of  Jehovah,  "  TAKE  HEED 
TO  YOURSELVES,  AND  BEAR  NO 
BURDEN  ON  THE  SABBATH-DAY, 
nor  bring  it  in  by  the  gates  of  Jerusalem ; 
neither  carry  forth  a  burden  out  of  your  hou- 
ses on  the  Sabbath-day,  neither  do  ye  any 
work,  but  hallow  the  Sabbath- da}*,  as  I  com- 
manded your  fathers."  Have  we  not  reason 
to  fear  that  the  Lord  God,  provoked  by  our 
impiety,  will  e^xecute  upon  us  the  vengeance 
denounced  against  the  nation  of  Israel,  *'  I  v/ill 
draw  out  a  sword  after  you,  and  make  your 
cities  waste.  Then  shall  the  land  enjoy  her 
Sabbaths  as  long  as  it  lieth  desolate,  and  ye 
shall  be  in  your  enemies  country  ;  even  thea 
shall  the  land  rest  and  enjoy  her  Sabbaths." 

3.  The  general,  and  very  gross  corruption 
of  public  morals  is  another  cause  of  the  divine 

pert  of  that  bill  were  poured  in  from  various  parts  of 
the  state,  and  a  single  copy  of  the  petition  fro)n  the 
city  of  New-York,  as  was  stated  in  a  public  paper, 
had  eighteen  iiundred  names  annexed  to  it.  As  citi- 
zens of  a  free  government  we  possess  the  right  in  a 
respectful  manner  to  petition  our  legislative  bodtcs,and 
our  petitions,  especially  when  presented  by  a  large  and 
respectable  part  of  the  state,  are  entitled  to  respectful 
attention.  But  in  the  instance  of  the  viemberabove 
mentioned,  the  maxim  holds  true,  "  that  he  who 
does  not  fear  God  will  not  regard  man,^'  not  even  his 
constituents  from  whom  all  his  Utile  importance  is 
derived, 

2  F 


^50  Sermon  14, 

displeasure  with  us  as  a  nation.     May  not  the 
records  of  our  courts  of"  justice    testify    how 
common  are   the  crimes   of  false   swearinjr. 
nnd  forgery  ;    crimes   peculiarly    offensive  to 
God,   and  which  tend  to    sap  the  very    foun- 
dation of  social  order  among  men  ?  Do  not  our 
daily  prints    announce  the   very  alarming  in- 
crease of  bankruptcies  in  our  country  ?  Prob- 
ably one  thousand  instances  of  private  fiiilure 
occur  now,    where   not  one  occurred   twenty 
years  ago.     This  fact  evinces  the    corruptiou 
of  public  morals,  as  these  failures  must  ordi- 
narily proceed  either  from   a  concealment  of 
property  with  a  view  to  defraud  the  creditor,  or 
from  a  in  ode  of  living  utterly  beyond  our  abil= 
ity.     Is  not  that  most  unnatural,  most  horrid 
of  all  crimes,  self-murder,  become  mournfully 
prevalent  among  us  ?  Is  it  not  also  a  fashion- 
able thing,  is  it  not  considered  the  test  of  rea} 
heroism,  the   character  of  the   manofhonOf 
to  take,  or  to  aim  at  taking  the  life  of  another 
in  dueling  ?  and  is  not  this  murderous^  prac. 

*  Is  this  epithet  pronounced  harsh  ;  //  is  support^ 
ed  by  the  judicial  testimony  of  an  honorable  geutle- 
vian  sj  our  oivn  age  and  country  ;  bij  one  ivhcse  bene- 
volence of  heart  must  excite  the  affection^  and  %i)hose 
integrity  and  capacity  in  his  office  comma7id  the  es- 
teem of  all  who  knozi)  hiin.  •'  Js  murder  in  contem- 
plaficn  of  law  essentially  consists  in  deliberately  fiil- 
ling  a  fellow  creature^  it  is  obvious  where  deatli  ensues 
VI  a  duel,  that  it  is  generally  speaking  the  most  ag- 
,;  ^(71  ited  species  of  viurder,  because  it  is  accompanied 
xtnih  ''very  species  oj  coot  premeditation  that  a  spit  it 
'  emy  could  dictate''  — QhAi^t  lo  the  Grand  Juiy 
Qi  iveiding,  by  the  Hon>  jacwb  Rush,  Esq. 


Sermon  14.  35 1 

tice  publicly  sanctioned  by  the  advancement 
of  such  oftenders  to  stations  of  emolument  and 
honor  ?  Have  we  not  thi.s  moment  some  stand- 
ing high  in  office  in  our  own  state,  and  in  the 
U  lited  States,  whose  consciences  are  stained 
with  the  guilt,  and  whose  hands  are  encrini- 
soncd  with  the  blood  of  their  fellow- men  ? 
Can  we  expect  that  our  country  in  over- look- 
ing with  impunity  this  daring  offence,  will  es- 
cape  the  vengeance  of  him  who  has  solemnlv 
ordained  that,  *'  WHOSO  SHEBDETH 
MAN'S  BLOOD  BY  MAN  SHALL  HIS 
BLOOD  BE  SHED,  FOR  IN  THE  IM- 
AGE  OF  GOD  MADE  HE  HEM.'' 

How  common  among  us  are  the  vices  of 
intemperate  drinking,  of  rioting,  ofgam.bling 
and  swearing  ?  Are  there  not  some  men  pre- 
siding on  the  bench  of  civil  justice  who  are 
grossly  profane  in  their  conversation ;  who 
have  lived  in  repeated  acts  of  uncleanness  ; 
who  are  devoted  to  gambihig,  and  by  whom 
the  Lord's  day  is  ouen  spent  m  their  worldly 
occupations  ?  Thiii  dissipation  of  conduct  is 
offensive  in  any  man  but  accompanied  with 
peculiar  aggravations  in  the  magistrate  who 
is  explicitly  pronounced  a  MINISTER  OF 
GOD  FOR  GOOD  to  others  :  it  is  a  direct 
prostitution  of  liis  sacred  function,  and  ren- 
ders him  a  *'  terror  not  to  evil  works,  but  to 
the  good.  '  Civil  government  is  as  really  an 
ordinance  of  God,  as  ecclesiastical  govern- 
ment ;  he,  therefore,  who  sustains  an  office 
in  the  state^ought  to  aim  at  purity  of  conver- 


352  SerJiion  14. 

sation,  no  less  than  he  who  sustains  an  oi£ce 
in  the  church  ;  and  when  they  who  rule  in  ei- 
ther capacity  lose  sight  of  the  solemnity  of 
their  station,  they  degrade  both  themselves  and 
iheirciiice.  It  is  the  uniform,  the  upright, 
the  dignified  deportment  of  the  man  which 
gives  majesty  to  the  minister  :  it  is  no  less 
the  uniform,  the  upright,  the  dignified  de- 
portment of  the  man  which  gives  m.ajesty  to 
the  magistrate.  Besides,  a  wanton,  dissipa- 
ted conduct  in  those  who  sustain  the  office  of 
civil  magistracy  has  a  tendency  to  demoralize 
society  at  large.  When  the  root  of  a  tree 
is  rotten,  the  branches  cannot  remain  verdant 
and  flourishing  ;  if  the  fountain  itself  be  pollu- 
ted, we  cannot  expect  the  stream  to  be  pure,- 
and  when  the  head  of  the  body  politic  becomes^ 
disordered  the  deadly  contagion  necessarily 
spreads  through  all  parts  of  the  system. 

There  is  another  evidence  of  public  corrup- 
tion which  I  dare  not  pass  over  unnoticed  :  I 
mean  the  obvious  prostitution  of  the  right  of 
suffrage.  In  our  {roit  government  the  choice 
of  all  rulers  either  immediately  or  remotely 
depends  on  the  people.  This  right  of  elect- 
ing our  own  representation  is  the  great  privi-^ 
lege  for  which  our  fathers  fought,  and  which 
is  benueathed  to  us,  sealed  with  the  blood  of 
thousands :  this  is  a  privilege  for  which  many 
of  you  fought,  and  for  the  purchase  of  which 
some  Q^  sow  bled:  it  is  the  full  enjoyment  of  this 
right  v/hich  distinguishes  the  citizen  from  the 
subject;  which  exalts  the  freeman  in  one  coun- 


Sermon  14.  ^Sy 

try  above  the  abject,  insulted, degraded  slave  in 
another  country  :  But  is  not  thi^jfight  criminally 
prostituted  among  us  ?    What  is  the  primary 
qualification  which  is  ordinarily  sought  in  the 
candidate  forpublicoffice  ?  Do  weattend  to  the 
admoiution  piescribed  by  eternal  truth,  "  He 
that  RULETH  over  men  must  be  JUST,  RU- 
LING in  the  FEAR  of  the  Lord  ?"  Have  we 
pursued  the    maxim  delivered  by  the   wisest 
of  men,   and  the  most    magnificent,  prosper- 
ous of  Princes,  RIGHTEOUSNESS  EX- 
ALTETH  A  NATION,  and  offered  our  ^.vS^ 
frages  for  those  who  in  private  life    were  pat- 
terns  of  righteousness,  and   as  rulers   Vv-oukl 
probably  use  their  in£uence  for  promoting  it 
among  others  ?  Have  we  not  more   generally 
enquired,  **  w^here  is  the  decided,  ardent  parti- 
zan  ;  the  man  who  will  most  zealously  adhere 
to  that  political  section  to  v/hich  we  belong/* 
without  regard  to  moral,  or  religious,  or  even 
intellectual  qualifications  ?    In  the  warmth  of 
party- spirit  have    we   not  contributed  to   the 
advancement  of  those  who  were  the    known 
enemies  of  religion,  and  have  allowed  them- 
selves in  falsely  slandering  its  ministers  ?  On 
this  day  of  humiliation  as  the  messenger  of  the 
Lord  of  hosts,  and  as  I  desire  to  be  found  faith- 
ful to  my  trust  when  the  storm  is  blackening 
over  us,   I  bear  my  testimony  against  the  pro^ 
motion    of    unprinci[)lcd,     immoral,  inijiious 
men  as  a  m.ost  aggravated  iniquity  in  our  land- 
and  I  believe,  as  firmly  as  I  btrlieve  my  qxuI 
tence,  that  whhout  speedy  and  special  rtpen.' 
2    F  2 


354  Sermon  14, 

tance  on  our  part,    this  insult  to  the  Lore!  of 
hosts  will  bring  wrath  upon  our  nation,  •*  un- 
til both  our  ears  will  tingle."     Has   he    not 
inost    solemnly   forewarned    us  that    "  when 
righteous   men  are   in  authority   the    people 
rejoice,  but  when  the    wicked  rule   the  land 
mourneth  ?  '  Besides,  the   election  of  men  to 
public  office,  who  are  destitute  of  moral  recti^ 
tude,  is    impolitic  in   the  extreme,  and  puts 
in  jeopardy  our  most  important  interests  as  ci- 
tizens.     Hear  the    sentiments    of  a  reverend 
member  who  adorned  our  counsels  during  the 
struggle    with   Great  Britain  ;    one   in  whom 
were  united  the  eminent  divine,  the  enlight- 
ened statesman,  and  the  uncorruptcd,  ardent 
patriot.      "  Those  who  wish  well  to  the  state 
ought  to  choose  to  places  of  trust  men  of  in- 
ward principle,  justified    by  examplary    con- 
versation.    Is  it  reasonable  to  expect  v/isdoni 
from  the  ignorant;  fidelity  from  the  profligate  ; 
or  application  to  public  business  from  men  of 
dissipated  life  ?  Is    it  reasonable   to   commit 
the  public  revenue  to  one  who  has  wasted  his 
own  patrimony  ?  Those  therefore  who  pny  no 
respect  to  religion,  and  sobriety  in  those  whom 
they    send   to  the  legislature   of  any  state  are 
guilty  of  the  greatest  absurdity,  and  will  soon, 
pay  dear  for  their  lolly.     Let    a   man's  zeal,, 
profesb^ions,  or  even  principles  as  to  political 
measures  be  what  they  may,  if  lie  is  without 
personal  integrity  and  private  virtue,  he  is  not 
to  be  trusted.     I  think  we  have  had  some  in- 
stances of  men  who  have  roiired   ia   taverns 


Sermon  14.  355 

for  liberty  and  been  mostnoisy  in  public  meet- 
ings, who  have  become  traitors  in  a  little  time. 
Suffer  me  on  this  subject  to  make  another  re- 
mark. With  what  judgment  will  laws  against 
i immorality  be  made,  or  with  what  vigor  wilt 
they  be  executed  by  those  who  are  profane 
and  immoral  in  their  own  practice.  Let  us 
suppose  a  magistrate  on  the  bench  of  justice, 
administering  an  oath  to  a  witness  or  passing. 
sentence  of  death  upon  a  criminal  and  putting 
him  in  mind  of  a  judgment  to  come.  With 
what  propriety,  dignity,  or  force  can  any  of 
these  be  done  by  one  who  is  known  to  be  a 
blasphemer,  an  infidel,  or  by  whom  in  his  con- 
vivial hours  every  thing  serious  or  sacred  is 
treated  with  scorn.  '* 

Permit  me  to  notice  as  another  cause  of  the 
divine  displeasure  those  bitter  contentions, 
those  mutual  reproaches  wluch  abound  among 
us.  What  are  our  seasons  of  election  but 
seasons  of  detraction,  and  defamation,  by 
which  the  passions  of  each  other  are  iiiflamed? 
What  liberties  are  frec]uently  taken  in  re- 
proaching public  men,  and  misrepresenting 
public  measures.  Docs  not  the  living  God 
explicitly  forbid  the  indulgence  of  "  hatred, 
variance,  emulations,  wrath  and  heresies  .^" 
An  untender,  unforbearing  spirit  between  man 
and  man  is  always  inexcuscable,  but  it  is  pe- 
culiarly offensive  when    cherished  by  those 

'^  Dr.  JVit/io'spoon  in  his  sermons  dtlivtred  on  a 
general,  Just  at  tke  co'iimencementf  and  a  general 

thanksgiving  at  the  coiuiusion  of  the  late  rcvohuiun* 


356  Stnho?i   14. 

who  are  citizens  ef  the  same  common  wealth  j 
whose  civil  and  social  interests  are  intimately 
blended  together.  In  republican  forms  of  go- 
vernment, \\here  public  virtue  is  the  great 
pillar  on  which  the  government  rests,  a  degree 
of  party  spirit  may  be  profitable  :  one  portion 
of  the  community  thus  proves  a  "  watch- tow- 
er'' to  the  other;  but  when  this  spirit  becomes 
outrageous  and  infuriated,  when  jealousy  per- 
vades every  class  of  society,  and  extinguish- 
es almost  every  spark  cf  mutual  confidence, 
it  proves  equally  repioachful,  and  ruinous. 

These  are  a  few  of  those  provocations  with 
which  we  are  chargeable  as  a  people,  and  for 
which  u'itl'Out  sincere  repentance  on  our  part 
the  scourf;e  of  a  ricd-tcous  God  will  unavoid- 
ably  overtake  us.  For  such  provocations, 
were  his  judgments  form-erly  denounced  a-- 
gainst  even  his  fiuorite  Israel,  and  owing  to 
their  obstinate  imnenitence  were  finallv  exe- 
cuted  in  their  utter  destruction.  "  If  ye  will 
not  hearken  unto  me,  saiih  Jehovah,  and  do 
all  my  commandments  :  and  if  3  e  shall  des- 
pise my  statutes,  or  if  your  soul  abhors  my 
judgments  ;  I  also  will  do  this  ur»to  you  ;  I 
will  appoint  unto  you  terror,  consumptioHy 
and  the  burning  ague  that  shall  consume  the 
ejes  and  cause  sorrow  of  heart  ;  and  ye  shall 
sow  your  seed»  and  your  enemies  shall  eat  it ; 
and  I  will  make  your  cities  waste  and  bring 
your  sanctuary  into  desolation.  Then  shall 
the  land  enjoy  her  sabbaths  as  long  as  it  lieth 
desolate,  avid  ye  be  hi  your  enemies  land,  even 


Sermon  14.  35  f 

then  shall  the  land  rest,  and  enjoy  her  sab- 
baths. Again,  If  ye  will  not  hearken  unto 
me  to  hallow  the  sabbath  day,  and  not  to  bear 
a  burden,  even  entering  in  at  the  gates  of  Je- 
rusalem on  the  sabbath-day  ;  then  will  I  kin- 
die  a  fire  in  the  gates  thereof,  and  it  shall  de- 
voiir  the  palaces  of  Jerusalem,  and  it  shall 
not  be  quenched.*' 

Brethren,  when  we  read  these  fearful  de- 
nunciations,  and  then  contemplate  our  own 
conduct,  who  must  not  tremble  for  his  coun- 
try ?  Was  the  holy  sabbath  more  generally 
or  wantonly  profimed  in  Judea,  than  in  Ame- 
rica ?  Were  the  streets  of  Jerusalem  more 
frequendy  polluted  by  the  unhallowed  buyer 
and  seller  on  that  day,  than  are  the  streets  of 
our  own  settlements  and  villages  and  cities  ^ 
Must  we  not  rationally  expect"  that  the  soul'* 
of  our  offended  Sovereign  "  v/ill  be  avenged' 
on  such  a  nation  as  ours  ?  '  Is  the  violation  of 
his  law  less  aggravated  among  us  whose  light 
is  more  clear,  whose  privileges  are  more  ex- 
alted than  among  them  ;  or  is  the  Lord  Goct 
less  riglueous  to  avenge  the  quarrel  of  his  co- 
venant ?  Nay,  have  not  our  judgments  alrea- 
dy commenced  ? 

To  consider  the  evidences  of  divine  wrath 
which  we  have  occasionally  experienced,  and 
under  which  we  now  suffer,  was  the  second 
part  of  our  subject,  and  demands  our  attention. 

1.  Has  not  a  Holy  God  often  plead  his  con- 
troversy with  our  land  by  a  fearful  pestilence? 
Receiving  itscommission  from  on  high, has  not 


358  ^€r7rtan  14. 

this  scourge  gone  abroad  through  our  country 
and  visited  in  their  turn  our  cities  from  the 
northern  to  the  southern  extremities  of  the  u- 
nion  i  In  its  hostile  career  has  it  not  desolat- 
ed for  a  season  the  sanctuaries  of  God  ;  driven 
from  their  abodes  thousands  of  our  citizens, 
innd  mingled  in  sudden,  promiscuous  ruin  the 
babe,  the  youth,  and  the  hoary  head  ? 

As  another  mark  of  his  indignation,  and  a» 
nother  mean  cfreclaiming  an  ungrateful, apos- 
tatising people,  has  he  not  commissioned  the 
fire  to  become  the  avenger  of  his  quarrel  ?  Has 
not  this  devouring  element  laid  waste  in  some 
degree  many  of  our  cities,  and  reduced  from 
affluence  to  poverty  hundreds  of  their  inhabi- 
tants  ?  The  messengers  of  Jehovah's  wrath- 
have  not  been  confined  to  our  cities,  but  have 
occasionally  visited  all  parts  of  the  country, 
7'he  insect,  an  army  small,  imperceptible,  yet 
irresistible,  has  marched  thougluhe  land,  and 
cut  down  in  its  j)rcgiess,  the  staifof  life.  Be- 
fore  it  our  fields  w^ere  clothed  with  verdure, 
and  flourishing  **as  the  garden  of  Eden,  but 
behind  it  a  desolate  wilderness."  Did  he  not 
in  one  year  **  shut  up  the  windows  of  heaven," 
refusing  to  us  *'  tiic  early  anrl  kUer  rain  in  theiir' 
season  ;  '  and  by  intemperate  rains  in  another 
year  did  he  not  destroy  the  fruits  of  the  earth, 
blast  the  hopes  of  the  husbandman,  and 
alarm  with  apprehensions  of  cleanness  of 
teeth  f  Such  are  the  scourges  which  we  have' 
occasionally  felt  in  years  that  arc  past ;  such 
the   expressions   of  divine  indignation  under 


SermQTi  14.  359 

which  our  land  has  often  trembled:  Natural 
causes  have  been  ingeniv^ush^  assigned  for  all 
these  calamities :  Presumptuous,  impious 
mortals  would  fondly  exclude  the  Living  God 
from  all  agency  in  the  world,  as  they  extin- 
guish every  generous  impulse  of  his  fear  and 
love  in  their  own  hearts  :  Every  occurrence, 
whether  prosperous  or  adverse,  is  ascribed  by 
them  to  secondary  means  ;  but  **  the  man  of 
wisdom'"  will  consider  th^m  "  as  coming  forth 
from  the  Lord  of  hosts,'*  and  as  visitations 
either  of  his  mercy  or  wrath.  "  Is  there  evil  in 
the  city;  is  there  evil*'  in  the  country,  "and 
the  Lord  hath  not  done  it  ?**  Does  the  pesti- 
lence consume  the  persons  of  our  citizens,  or 
the  fire  devour  their  property  ?  Does  the  rain 
prove  our  scoyrge  in  one  year,  or  the  drought 
in  another,  or  the  mi/dew  in  another  without 
his  permission  and  appointment.  They  are  a- 
like  the  mniistcrs  of  almighty  God  ;  they  come 
only  at  his  call,  and  they  continue  to  fulfil  the 
the  high  commission  received  from  his  hand. 
Thus  he  declared  to  Israel  formerly,  and  thus 
he  may  declare  to  America  now,  *'  I  have 
withholdenthe  rain  from  you  when  there  were 
yet  three  months  to  the  harvest:  I  have  smit- 
ten  you  with  blasting  and  mildew  :  I  have 
sent  among  thee  pestilence  after  the  manner 
of  Egypt  :  1  have  overthrown  some  of  you, 
as  God  overthrew  Sodom  and  Gomorrah." 

*'  For  all  these  his  angtr  is  not  turned  a- 
way,  but  his  hand  is  stretched  out  still.'  Is 
i\ot  our  nation   trembling  at  this  moment  un- 


560  Sermon  14. 

dcr  awful  appearances  of  the  divine  displea- 
sure ?  Has  not  the  cloud  collected,  and  spread, 
and  darkened  every  part  of  our  horizon,  and 
is  seemingly  ready  to  burst  forth  in  our  de- 
struction ?  Are  we  not  now  assembled  in  this 
sanctuary  for  the  very  purpose  of  deprecating 
the  displeasure  of  our  God  ;  of  confessing  and 
mourning  over  our  national  guilt  as  the  pro- 
curing cause,  and  to  implore  his  return  in  lo- 
ving kindness  to  our  land  ?  ''  The  anger  of 
the  Lord  hath  divided  us'  as  a  people  ;  *'  he 
no  longer  regards  us/'  Do  not  a  diversity  of 
sentiment,  and  alienation  of  affection  almost 
universally  prevail  ?  Has  not  mutual  confi- 
dence departed  from  our  fellows-citizens,  and 
the  fell  demon  of  discord  succeeded  in  itsroom? 
Is  not  the  brother  alienated  from  his  brother  ; 
the  son  from  his  father  ;  the  neighbor  from 
his  neighbor  ;  the  citizen  from  the  magistrate? 
Nay,  has  not  mutual  confidence  departed  in 
some  instances  from  the  spiritual  pastor  and 
the  people  of  his  charge  ?  Is  it  not  a  notorious 
fact  that  if  the  servants  of  the  cross  remain 
faithful  to  their  trust ;  if  they  expose  '*  with- 
out partiality  and  without  hypocrisy''  the  cor- 
ruptions of  men  and  magistrates,  they  are 
immediately  slandered  in  public  houses 
and  public  prints  ;  they  are  represented 
as  rallying  under  the  standard  of  party, 
and  as  converting  their  pulpits  into  political 
engines.  Have  not  these  jealousies,  these 
contentions  diffused  their  deadly  influence 
through  every  part  of  the  community  ?  Do 


Sermon  14,  361 

thev  not  tend  to  distract  the  proceedings  of 
cveVy  assembly,  from  the  petit-jury  up  to  the 
highest  deliberative  council  in  the  nation  ! 
Has  it  not  become  a  matter  of  course  that  a 
measure  proposed  by  one  class  of  the  com- 
munity  will  be  opposed  and  reprobated  by  the 
other  '?  Although  we  are  citizens  of  the  same 
commonwealth,  and  united  by  the  dearest  so- 
cial connections  ;  although  we  have  all  that  is 
interesting  to  us  in  time,  our  property,  our  li- 
berty,  our  religion,  our  lives  embarked  on 
the  same  bottom,  yet  we  mark  the  move- 
ments of  each  other  with  all  the  suspicion  of 
the  avowed,  irreconcileablc  enemy.  This  a- 
lienation  of  heart ;  those  bitter  revilings  I  for- 
merly mentioned  as  our  sin  ;  I  would  now 
mention  them  as  a  most  deplorable  calamity, 
and  as  an  evident  and  awful  proof  of  the  Lord's 
controversy  with  us.  It  is  an  old  proverb, 
uttered  by  an  infallible  teacher,  that  *'  a  house 
divided  against  itself  cannot  stand.*' ^  When 
we  see  a  particular  family  split  up  into  fac- 
tions ;  each  member  torturing  the  feelings, 
crucifying  the  character,  and  opposing  the  in- 
terests of  the  other,  we  conclude  without  hesi- 
tancy that  the  Lord  has  departed  from  that 
house,  and  that  its  desolation  is  near.  It  is 
not  less  true  of  nations  than  of  particular  fa- 
milies, unite  and  you  establish  ;  divide  and 
you  destroy.  When  Jehovah  denounced  tlic 
overthrow 'of  Egypt  for  their  contempt  of  his 
name,  and  the  cruelties  which  they  had  per- 
petrated upon  his  people,  he  declares,  *'  I  will 
2   G 


S62  Serm 


on 


set  the  Egyptians  against  the  Egyptians,  an4 
they  shall  light  every  man  against  his  brother, 
and  every  man  against  his  neighbor  ;  city  a- 
gainst  city,  and  kingdom  against  kingdom.'' 
May  we  not  therefore  consider  our  internal 
dissentions  and  distractions  as  *'  coming  forth 
from  the  Lord  of  hosts,''  and  as  his  righteous 
judgment  upon  our  guilty  land  P  Are  we  not 
constrained  to  deplore  in  the  plaintive  lan- 
guage of  the  prophet,  "  the  anger  of  the  Lord 
hath  divided  us;  Manassch  against  Ephraim, 
and  Ephraim  against  Manasseh,  and  they  to- 
p-ether shall  be  aQ-ainst  Judah.'' 

''  For  all  this  his  anger  is  not  turned  away, 
but  his  hand  is  stretched  out  still."  We  are 
now  pressed  dov/n  under  a  general  and  heavy 
calamity  :  our  commerce,  the  chief  source  of 
wealth  to  the  individual,  and  of  revenue  to  the 
government,  is  in  a  great  measure  destroyed, 
and  even  cur  peace  is  endangered  by  the  hos- 
tile appearance  of  foreign  nations.  More  than 
a  year  have  we  suffered  under  these  complica- 
ted evils,  and  their  effects  have  produced  em- 
barrassment among  all  classes  of  society.  No 
longer  is  employment  offered  as  formerly  to 
the  laborer  ;  no  longer  is  the  toil  of  the  hus- 
bandm,an  rewarded  by  a  liberal  compensation 
for  his  produce  ;  no  longer  is  the  merchant 
animated  to  enterprise  by  success  in  his  trade; 
no  longer  are  our  harbors  enlivened  by  a  race 
of  hardy,  generous  seamen  ;  no  longer  does 
pur  canvass  whiten  the  ocean  ;  no  longer  do 
our  ships  return  wafting  upon  our  shores  the 


Sermon  14.  363 

wealth,  and  the  luxuries  of  every  clime  :  Dif- 
ferent causes  are  assigned  for  this  sudden,  ca- 
lamitous  reverse  of  our  situation  :   By  some  it 
is  attributed  to  the  want  of  wisdom  and  ener- 
gy in  our  administration  ;   by  others  to  the  in- 
tollerant,  oppressive  measures  of  Britain  ;   by- 
others  to  the  ambition,  intrigues,  and  corrupt- 
ing influence  of  France,  but  this  *•  also  must 
be  considered  as  coming  forth  from  the  Lord 
of  hosts,  and"  by  this  he  is  avenging  his  quar- 
rel with  our  country.     It  is  his  blessing  which 
maketh  rich  ;  that  crownt>  with  prosperity  the 
individual,  or  the  community,  and  it  is  his  dis- 
pleasure   which  blasts  their  enterprize  :  His 
displeasure  causes  citizen  to  become  alienated 
from  citizen  ;  wisdom  to  depart  from  our  ru- 
lers ;  commerce  to  quit  our  shores,  and  which 
is  now  threatening  to  muster  the  hosts  to  the 
battle.     ''  Behold,  the  Lord  maketh  the  earth 
empty,  and  scattereth  abroad  the  inhabitants 
thereof,   because  they  have   transgressed  the 
laws  ;  changed  the  ordinance  and  broken  the 
everlasting  covenant :  The  new  wine  mourn- 
cth  5    the   vhie    languisheth  ;    all  the   merry 
hearted  do  sigh  ;   He  stretched  out  his  hand's 
against  the  sea  ;  the  Lord  hatli  given  a  com- 
mandment against  the  merchant  city,  to  de- 
stroy the  strong  holds  thereof." 

I  must  trespass  on  your  patience  by  noti- 
cing another  evidence  of  the  divine  displea- 
sure with  our  country;  it  is  one  which  must 
peculiarly  interest  and  alarm  the  hearts  of  all 
who  realize  our  depeadance  on  the  God  of  nji- 


364  Sermon  14. 

tions,  that  our   attention  has  never  been  di- 
rected to  the  real  source  either  of  our  miseries 
or  reiicf.     A  spirit  of  lethargy,  and  of  slum- 
ber when  the  great  God  is  shaking  his  rod  o- 
ver  a  nation  is  not  merely   their  sin,  but  the 
presage  of  a  more  dreadful  visitation.     *'  Be- 
cause  they   consider  not  the   works   of  the 
Lord,  nor  regard  the  operations  of  his  hand  ; 
therefore  the  Lord  will  destroy  them  and  not 
build  them  \r^.^'     There  is  probably  not  a 
more  awful  evidence  that  an  individual,  or  a 
nation  is  abandoned  of  God,  and  marked  as 
victims  for  his  wrath  than  to  be  given  up  to 
themselves  ;  to  be  permitted  to  remain  una- 
■wakened  and  unconcerned  amidst  the  alarming 
dispensations  of  his  providence.     When  *'  the 
cup  of  \\yt   iniquity'*  of  Israel  "  was  nearly 
full,"  and  the  decree  for  their  destruction  had 
irreversibly  passed,  how  awful  is  the  commis- 
sion given  to  the  prophet,   **  make  the  Keart  of 
this  people  flit,  and  make  their  ears  heavy,  imd 
shut  their  eyes  ;  lest  they  see  v/ith  theireyes,'* 
see  my  judgments  which  are  already  gather- 
ed and  lowering  over  their  heads  ;  *'  and  hear 
ivith  their  ears,'*  hear  my   voice  of  warning" 
in  my  word,  or  by  my  messengers,  or  in  the 
movements  of  my  providence  ;   "  and  under- 
stand with  their  heart,"  be  really  aftected  with 
their   own  abominations  as  the    meritonous 
cause  of  their  miseries,  *■  and  be  healed." — 
The  prophet  melted  at  hearing  the  doom  of 
his   deluded    country    aifectionately    replies, 
*'  Lord,  how  long  ?*'  He  is  answered  by  the 


Sermon  14.  365 

oracle,  "  until  the  cities  be  waste  without  in- 
habitant, and  the  houses  without  man,  and 
the  land  be  utterly  desolate." 

Brethren,  does  not  our  situation  as  a  na- 
tion obviously  and  awfully  correspond  with 
that  of  deluded  Israel  ?  Can  we  imagine  that 
they  were  more  stupid,  more  infatuated  amidst 
the  terrors  of  the  Almighty  than  we  are  in 
America  ?  Much  time  has  been  occupied  in 
devising  the  means  of  safety  ;  much  treasure 
has  been  expended  in  fortifying  our  harbors  : 
message  after  message  has  been  transmitted  to 
foreign  courts  representing  our  grievances  and 
demanding  redress  ;  but  during  all  our  alarms 
and  all  these  exertions  for  maintaining  our 
rights  has  the  Lord  of  hosts  been  acknow- 
ledged by  us  as  a  nation  ;  have  we  been  call- 
ed by  our  civil  Rulers  to  ask  the  interposition 
of  HIM  by  whom  **  kings  reign,  and  princes 
decree  justice  ;  by  whom  princes  rule,  and 
nobles  even  all  the  judges  of  the  earth  ?"  Nay, 
I  mention  it  with  the  most  profound  emotions 
of  regret,  and  of  trembling  ;  of  humiliation 
for  the  past  and  apprehensions  for  the  future, 
that  during  eight  years  we  have  not  been  re- 
commended in  a  national  capacity  to  acknow- 
ledge the  Ruler  of  nations  :  no  tribute  of 
thanksgiving  has  ascended  to  his  throne  in  the 
season  of  prosperity  ;  neither  have  we  in  ad- 
versicy  been  directed  to  the  confession  of 
guilt,  nor  to  ask  the  interference  of  that  arm 
which  works  salvation.  Was  such  the  exam- 
ple exhibited  by  our  illustrious  patriots  of 
2  c2 


S66  Sermon  14. 

'76  ;  by  those  who  then  directed  our  coun- 
cils, marshalled  our  armies  in  the  field,  and 
were,  under  God,  the  instruments  of  our  na- 
tional glory  F  On  the  seventeenth  of  May  in 
that  year,  a  day  that  must  remain  memorable 
while  the  love  of  liberty  is  cherished  in  cur 
country,  the  oppressed  millions  of  America  at 
the  call  of  their  rulers  approached  the  mercy- 
seat,  laid  a  history  of  their  grievances  before 
the  avenger  of  wrongs,  implored  his  interpo- 
sition in  their  behalf,  and  his  ear  was  gracious- 
ly open  to  their  cry. 

From  this  doctrine,  thus  explained,  it  is  ob- 
viously suggesed, 

1,  That  verily  "  there  is  a  God  who  judg- 
eth  in  the  earth."  Vain,  impious  mortals  fre- 
quently ask,  ''  who  is  Jehovah  that  we  should 
obey  him  ?  *  In  the  infatuation  and  madness 
cf  their  hearts,  they  often  challenge,  *' ho^v 
doth  God  know,  and  is  there  knowledge  in 
the  most  high  ?"  In  the  enthusiasm  of  their 
impiety,  they  are  resolving,  **  let  us  break  his 
bands  asunder  and  cast  his  cords  from  us." 
But  notwithstanding  all  their  presumptioa 
and  self-confidence,  **  their  judgment  linger-^ 
eth  not,  and  their  damnatioH  slumbereth  not.? 
He  that  sitteth  in  the  heavens  shall  laugh  at 
them  ;  the  Lord  shall  hold  them  in  derision  : 
Then  shall  he  speak  to  them  in  his  wrath  and 
vex  them  in  his  sore  displeasure.  Though 
hand  join  in  hand  his  soul  will  be  avenged  ' 
sooner  or  later  on  the  wanton,  incorrigible 
person  or  people.     What  is  the  history  of  th^ 


Sermon  14.  367 

world,  but  a  history  of  Jehovah's  judgments 
in  tht'  overthrow  of  haughty,  licentious  na- 
tions ?  Where  are  now  the  once  mighty,  mag- 
nificent empires  of  Egypt,  of  Assyria,  of 
Greece,  or  of  Rome  ?  Where  are  now  their 
splendid  cities,  their  adamantine  walls  tower- 
ing towards  heaven  ;  their  disciplined  armies  ; 
*'  their  gates  of  brass,  their  chariots  of  iron" 
which  promised  an  invincible  defence  against 
every  assault  from  without  ?  We  behold  them 
in  their  turn  receding  from  the  earth,  and 
*'  their  memorial  has"  nearly  *'  perished  with 
them  •/'  there  remains  nothing  but  their  name 
feebly  written  on  the  historian's  page.  *'  How 
are  the  mighty  fallen,  and  the  weapons  of  war 
perii^htd  ?  *  What  crashing  of  thrones  and 
kinp;doms  have  we  witnessed  with  our  own 
eyes?  Where  is  now  the  ancient,  august  mon- 
archy of  France  ;  that  which  stood  for  ages, 
and  <',pparently  u  ^'^d  even  the  hand  of  time  ? 
Have  we  not  seen  it  n  -d  many  others  totter 
to  their  foundations,  and  hundreds  and  thou- 
sands of  the  inhabitants  lost  in  the  general 
wreck  ?  Is  it  argued  *'  that  these  kingdoms, 
having  grown  old,  decayed  and  mouldered 
away  of  course,  as  every  thing  created  natu- 
rally tends  to  dissolution;'  or  is  it  argued, 
**  that  internal  causes  may  be  assigned  for  all 
these  effects  ;  that  violent  insurrections  con- 
vulsed the  empire  of  Rome,  and  that  Babylon 
was  taken  during  the  licentious  rioting  of  her 
princes  and  nobles  ?  '  These  objections  do  not 
in  the  least  militate  against  the  argument. — 


B6S  Sennon  14, 

The  sovereign  Ruler  of  nations  accomplishes 
his  purposes  by  secondary  causes  ;  by  means 
he  protects  the  righteous,  and  by  means  he 
executes  vengeance  on  the  deluded,  insolent 
opposers  of  his  government.  As  a  proof,  for 
instance,  tfcat  the  conquest  of  Babylon  and  the 
destruction  of  the  empire  v/as  of  God,  this  e- 
vent  was  foretold  ages  before  its  accomplish- 
ment ;  the  instrument  of  its  overthrow  was 
mentioned  by  name  ;  the  very  manner  in 
which  he  should  execute  his  purpose  was  mi- 
nutely expressed  ;  and  yet  all  was  represent* 
ed  as  tlie  effect  of  divine  vengeance  against 
the  Assyrians.  *'  Come  down,'^  saith  the 
Lord  by  his  prophet  to  that  impious  city, 
**  come  down  and  sic  in  the  dust,  O  virgin 
daughter  of  Babylon  ;  sit  on  the  ground  : 
For  thou  hast  trusted  in  thy  wickedness;  thou 
hast  said,  none  seeth  me  :  Therefore  shall  e- 
vil  come  upon  thee;  thou  shalt  not  know 
from  whence  it  riseth  ;  and  mischief  shall  fall 
upon  thee  ;  thou  shalt  not  be  able  to  put  it 
off;  and  destruction  shall  come  upon  thee 
suddenly  which  thou  knowest  not."  Through 
the  anger  of  almighty  God  these  fearful  deso- 
lations are  spread  among  the  nations  of  the 
earth  :  A  flood  of  impiety,  and  licentiousness 
on  their  part  is  succeeded  by  a  flood  of  wrath 
on  his  part. 

2.  We  learn  from  this  doctrine  who  are  the 
enemies  of  a  country ;  who  disturb  her  peace  ; 
w  ho  interrupt  her  prosperity  and  endanger  her 
very  existence  ;  they  are  those  who  live  in 


Sermon  14i  569 

(li€  contempt  of  God,  and  the  violation  of  his: 
rig-hteous  law.  These  are  the  Achans  in  the 
camp  who  bring  wrath  upon  the  nation  of  Isra- 
el, The  it-nmoral,  impious  man  ;  the  swear- 
er, the  sibbath. breaker,  the  insolent  scoffer 
of  religion  and  its.  institutions  ;  the  parent 
who  is  undiitiful  in  his  station,  who  is  not  dil- 
igent in  educating  his  offspring  for  God  anil 
his  service  ;  the  magistrate  who  does  not  rule 
in  tJiefear  of  the  Lord,  but  pollutes  the  land 
by  a  loose,  licentious  deportment  and  conver- 
sation :  These  are  the  persons,  by  whatever 
political  name  they  are  known,  or  under  what- 
ever mask  they  appear  among  their  fellow-ci- 
trzens,  who  bring  dov/n  the  judgments  of 
heaven  on  settlements,  and  cities^  and  nations: 
These  are  the  persons  who  occasionally  shut 
up  the  windows  of  heaven,  suspending  '*  the 
early  and  latter  rain  in  their  season  ;''  who  dry 
up  the  streams  of  commerce  ;  who  give  com- 
mission to  ^*  tlie  pestilence  wasting  its  thou- 
sands in  our  streets  ;"'  who  unslieath  the 
sword  of  war,  and  drench  a  land  in  the  blood 
of  its  inhabitants.  *'  Hear  th^  word  of  the 
Lord,  ye  children  of  Israel  :'*  hear  his  word', 
ye  citizens  of  America,  ''for  the  Lord  hath  a 
controversy  with  the  inhabitants  of  the  land, 
because  there  is  no  truth,  nor  mercy,  nor 
knowledge  of  God.  By  swearing  and  lyin^, 
and  killing,  and  committing  adultery  they 
break  out,  and  blood  toucheth  blood.  There- 
fore shall  the  land  mourn,  and  every  one  that 
dwelleth  therein  shall  languish  with  the  beast* 


"^, 


0  Sermon  14. 

of  the  field  and  the  fowls  of  heaven.''  They., 
on  the  other  hand,  are  the  true  patriots  **  who 
fear  God  ;  who  work  righteousness  ;  who 
render  to  all  their  due,  giving  unto  Geasar  the 
things  that  are  Ceasar's,  and  unto  God  the 
things  that  are  God's  ;  who  keep  holy  the 
Sabbath  by  *'  spending  it  in  the  public  and 
private  exercises  of  divine  worship  ;  who  vi- 
sit the  fatherless  and  widow  in  their  affliction, 
and  preserve  themselves  unspotted  from  the 
world  :'  parents  who  are  devout  in  their  ha- 
bitations :  who  early  infuse  into  the  hearts  of 
their  children  the  principles  of  religion  and 
virtue ;  magistrates  who  feel  the  solemnity 
and  responsibility  of  their  station,  being  *'  min- 
isters of  God  for  the  good  of"  society  ;  who' 
assume  the  important  office,  not  from  motives 
6f  interest,  or  honor,  but  that  they  may  rule 
for  the  glory  of  him  by  whose  authority  they 
act,  and  to  whose  bar  they  are  accountable  j 
who  by  the  biamelesb^ness  of  their  conversa- 
tion, and  by  the  impartial  discharge  of  every 
official  duty  **  become  a  terror  to  evil  doers 
and  a  praise  to  them  that  do  well;*'  ministers 
who  *'  abound  in  the  work  of  the  Lord  ;"  who 
are  not  lured  from  their  sacred  function  by 
considerations  of  worldly  eiise^  or  emolument, 
but  actuated  by  the  same  spirit  with  their  di- 
vine Master,  ''  go  about  doing  good  :*'  such 
persons,  such  magistrates,  such  ministers  are 
the  genuine  patriots  and  friends  of  their  coun- 
try. Contemplating  such  I  may  freely  cxclaimt 
in  the  language  of  a  Jewish  king  to  the  pro- 


Sermon  14.  371 

phet  of  Jehovah,  ''  my  Father,  my  Father,  the 
chariots  of  Israel,  and  the  horsemen  thereof." 
They  are  the  massy  pillars  which  give  stabil- 
ity to  a  nation  within  ;  they  are  the  broad 
shield  which  render  her  invincible  and  impen- 
etrable by  any  opposition  without.  Their 
prayers,. their  intercessions,  their  alms  are  of 
more  importance  towards  her  defence  than  all 
the  speculations  of  the  vain  philosopher  ;  than 
all  the  schemes  of  the  self-confident  statesman; 
than  all  the  martial  prowess  of  either  the  sol- 
diery or  navy.  For  the  sake  of  these,  judg- 
ments are  often  averted  and  days  of  calamity 
are  shortened.  The  waters  never  gushed  up- 
on the  old  world  wwiW  Noah  was  secured  in  the 
ark  ;  the  arm  of  the  destroying  angel  was 
stayed  from  the  destruction  of  Sodom  until 
*'  Lot  had  escaped  to  the  mountains,"  and 
when  *'  Phinehas  arose,  and,"  as  a  faithful  ma- 
gistrate, "  executed  righteousness  the  plague 
was"  instantly  arrested  '*  in  the  camp  of  Isra- 
el.  Run,"  saith  the  Lord  God  to  his  mes- 
senger, the  prophet,  *^  run  ye  to  and  fro 
through  the  streets  of  Jerusalem,  and  seek  ye 
in  the  broad  places  thereof,  if  ye  can  find  a 
man  ;  if  there  be  any  that  executeth  judg- 
ment ;  thatseeketh  truth,  and  I  will  pardon  it." 
3.  We  learn  from  this  doctrine  the  suitable 
exercises  of  a  people  in  the  season  of  impend- 
ing judgments  ;  they  ought  diligently  to  en- 
quire into  the  cause  "^of  the  Lords  controver- 
sy ;  they  should  aim  at  discovering  those  na- 
tional sins  which   are  the  procuring  cause  of 


572  Sermon  14, 

national  calamities.  We  hear  the  propli€t 
complaining  with  respect  to  the  people  of  Is- 
rael, "  O  Lord,  thou  hast  stricken  them,  but 
they  have  not  grieved ;  thou  hast  consumed 
them,  but  they  have  refused  to  receive  cor- 
rection :  When  thy  hand  is  lifted  up  they  will 
not  see,  and  will  not  behold  the  majesty  of  the 
Lord.'  This  complaint  is  mournfully  appli- 
cable to  us  amidst  the  present  alarming  ap- 
pearances of  divine  providence.  Our  atten- 
tion is  chiefiy  confined  to  the  instruments,  one 
party  is  disposed  to  throw  the  censure  upon 
the  other  ;  the  citizen  reprobates  the  ruler, 
and  one  portion  of  the  rulers  reproach  the  oth- 
er as  the  cause  of  our  evils.  But  whatever 
sinful  instrumentality  men  have  in  involving 
our  country  in  the  present  state  of  embarrass- 
ment and  alarm,  the  Lord  God  has  a  sove- 
reign, righteous  agency  ;  he  is  avenging  his 
quarrel  with  an  ungrateful,  disobedient  na- 
tion :  and  until  we  become  sensible  of  his  dis- 
pleasure as  manifested  in  our  judgments ;  un- 
til we  discover  our  own  iniquities  as  justly 
provoking  this  displeasure  ;  until  we  are  sin- 
cerely humbled  on  account  of  our  iniquities, 
and  led  to  the  blood  of  reconciliation  as  our 
only  remission,  I  shall  entertain  little  hopes 
that  the  rod  will  be  removed.  Let  all,  on  this 
day  of  humiliation,  turn  their  eyes  upon  their 
own  hearts  and  impartially  examine  their  par- 
ticular exercises  ;  are  they  cordially  melted 
for  their  own  iniquities  and  for  the  abomina- 
tions *'  that  prevail  in  the  land  ?"  Are  they 


Sermon  14.  373 

sincerely  humbled  before  the  Lord  that  ordi- 
nances are  so  generally  neglected  ;  that  Jesus 
and  his  great  salvation  are  despised  ;  that  the 
holy  sabbath  is  wantonl}^  prostituted  by  all 
classes  in  our  nation  ?  Such  were  the  exerci- 
ses of  the  church  formerly  in  the  season  of  her 
calamity,  and  such,  if  we  have  received  an 
unction  of  the  same  spirit,  will  be  our  exerci- 
ses this  da}'.  *'  O  Lord,  to  us  belong  confu- 
sion of  face,  to  our  kings,  to  our  princes,  and 
to  our  fathers  because  we  have  sinned  against 
thee  ;  yea,  all  Israel  have  transgressed  thy 
laws  :  therefore  the  curse  is  poured  upon  us, 
and  the  oath  that  is  written."  With  confes- 
sion of  former  sins  let  us  connect  earnest  reso- 
lutions of  amendment  in  the  time  to  come. — 
Would  to  God  that  henceforth  all  classes  of  our 
citizens  were  going  hand  in  hand,  andiveeping 
as  they  go  ;  sayings  with  penitent  Israel,  *'  let 
us  return  to  the  Lord,  for  he  hath  torn  and  he 
will  heal ;  he  hath  smitten  and  he  will  bind  us 
up  :  come  and  let  us  join  ourselves  to  Jehovah 
in  a  perpetual  covenant  that  shall  not  be  forgot- 
ten." Such  exercises  would  be  the  surest  pre- 
sage of  future  peace  and  felicity  and  glory  to 
our  nation  :  They  might  be  considered  an  in- 
fallible pledge  that  the  cloud  which  now  dark- 
ens our  horizon  will  shortly  evanish,  and  that 
the  sun  of  prosperity  will  revisit  with  his  cheer- 
ing beams  our  long  fiivored  land. 

O  Lord^  revive  thy  work  i?i  the  midst  of  the 
years  ;  in  the  midst  of  the  years  make  known  : 
in  wrath  remember  mercy.    Am s n  and  ku^ n* 
2   H 


SERMON  XV. 


A=M0S    IV.    12. 


And  because  Ixvill  do  this  unto  thee  ;  prepare 
to  meet  thij  God,  0  Israel. 

THE  holy  scriptures  are  admirably  a-^ 
daptcd  to  man  in  his  present,  imperfect,  mili- 
tant state.     They  forewarn  him  of  approach- 
ing calamities  ;  they  afford  direction  in  every 
perplexity  ;  they  inspire   with  confidence  ii; 
the  hour  of  surrounding  peril,  and  impart  con- 
solation amidst  the  various  adversities  of  life. 
Tile  admonition  contained  in  our  text  must 
appear  peculiarly   seasonable  to  Israel,   when 
we  realise  her  awful  and  interesting  situation 
at  th^  time  of  its  delivery:     It  was  uttered  by 
the  inspired  messenger  *'  in  the  days  of  Uzzi- 
ah  king  of  Judah,  and  in  the  days  of  Jerobo- 
am king  of  Israel,  two  years  before  the  earth- 
quake."    The  visitation  of  the  Jewish  nation 
by  an  earthquake  is  noticed  only  in  this  place, 
and  by  the  iprophet  Zechariah.     The  latter 
a's  the  messenger  of  divine  wrath  declares,  **  I 
will  gather   all  nations  against  Jerusalem  to 
battle  ;  and  the  city  shall  be  taken,   and  the 
houses  rifled  :  and  ye  shall  flee  to  the  valley 
of  the  mountains  ;  yea,  ye  shall  flee  like  as  ye 
fled  before  the  earthquake^  in  the  days  of  Uz- 

*  This  event  is  pariicidarlT)  mentioned  by  Josephus 
in  his  ♦*  Antiquities  of  the  Jews  ;'^  he  relates   thai 
"  Jereboani  the  son  of  Joash  zvas  a  prince  most  disso- 
lute and liccniiousiii  his  practices,  by  w/iich  he  brought 


Sermon  l5.  575 

ziah  king  of  Judah."     The  Lord  God  never 
wants instrumentsfor  avenging  his  quarrel  with 
the  enemies  of  his  government :   All  elements 
are  subject  to  his  sovereign  controul,  and  all 
agents,  visible  and  invisible^  rational  and  irra- 
'tional,  from  the  least  insect  which  moves  on 
'the  earth  to  the  loftiest  angel  who  walks  the 
streets  of  heaven  are  at  his  disposal,  and  stand 
ready  to  perform  his  pleasure  either  of  mercy 
or  wrath  :   Yet  H  K  is  infinitely  sloxv  to  auger, 
-and  displays  his  exceeding^  abundant  compas- 
sion  in   giving  previous   intimations  of   ap- 
proaching   calamities.       The    cloud    usually 
tnakes   its  first  appearance  small  as  a  man^s 
hand  ;  it  gradually  rises  higher  and  becomes 
darker,  before  it  bursts  forth  upon  the  object 
devoted  to  destruction.  The  great  God  warns 
the  wicked  by  his  word,  raising  up  messenger 
after  messenger  ;  by  his  providence,  inflicting 
lesser  judgments  as  a  mean  of  reclaiming  and 
saving  them  from  more  awful  visitations.    He 
thus  proves  to  the  satisfaction  of  every  ration- 
al spectator,    "  that  he  is  merciful,  and  gra- 
cious, long-suffering  and  abundant  in  good- 
ness and  truth  ;"  that  he  has  no  pleasure  in 
the  temporal  destruction  of  nations,  or  in  the 
everlasting  ruin  of  individuals,  but  would  ra- 
ther that  both  should  repent,  and  return,  and 

<ilmost  innumerable  calamities  upon  the  people  of  Is- 
racl  ;"  that  •*  in  his  days  there  iicas  a  terrible  earth- 
quake  ;"  that  "  the  roof  oj  the  temple  opened  :cith  the 
s 'locks  of  ity  and  one  halt'  of  the  mauniam  Eu^e  was 
ti?rn  fr&m  the Qiher,'''-jQs.  ant.  145.  6.  n.  y.  ed.  '92. 


376  Sermon  15. 

live.  Before  he  "opened  the  fountains  of  the 
deep,"  and  brought  the  flood  "  upon  the  old 
ungodly  world,"  he  raised  up  Noah  a  preach- 
er of  righteousness,  and  warned  them  year  af- 
ter year  ;  previous  to  the  overthrow  ''  of  Nin- 
eveh, that  great  city,'  he  commissioned  Jonah 
to  go  forth  and  proclaim  *'  in  the  streets,  yet 
forty  days  and  Nineveh  shall  be  destroyed  ;'* 
and  before  he  pours  out  the  fury  of  his  anger 
upon  Israel,  his  once  favorite  people,  the  offs- 
pring of  Abraham  his  servant,  he  addresses 
iheminthe  admonition  which  you  have  heard, 
*•  prepare  to  meet  thy  God,  O  Israel." 

in  the  preceding  verses  of  this  chapter,  the 
prophet,  in  the  name  of  his  God,  recapitulates 
to  this  deluded,  obstinate  nation  the  various 
methods  which  had  been  employed  for  their 
reformation.  **  And  I  also  have  given  you 
cleanness  of  teeth  in  all  your  cities,  and  want 
of  bread  in  all  your  places,  yet  have  ye  not 
returned  unto  m.e,  sailh  the  Lord  :  And  I 
have  also  withholden  from  you  the  rain,  when 
there  were  yet  three  months  to  the  harvest, 
yet  have  ye  not  returned  unto  me,  saith  the 
Lord  :  I  have  smitten  you  with  blasting  and 
iTiildew,  yet  have  ye  not  returned  unto  me, 
saith  the  Lord  :  I  have  sent  among  you  the 
pestilence  after  the  manner  of  Egypt,  yet  have 
ye  not  returned  unto  me,  saith  the  Lord  :  I 
have  overthrown  some  of  you,  as  the  Lord 
overthrew  Sodom  and  Gomorrah,  and  ye  were 
as  a  fire-brand  plucked  out  of  the  burning, 
yet  have  ye  not  returned  unto  me,  saith  the 


Sermon  15.  377 

Lord."  Who  that  has  noticed,  in  the  mos' 
superficial  manner,  the  dispensations  of  Go( 
toward  us  as  a  people,  must  not  read  in  our 
punishments  a  counterpart  of  the  punishments 
formerly  inflicted  on  Israel  ?  Did  not  a  righ- 
teous God,  year  after  year,  "  withhold  from 
us  the  rain  of  heaven,"  causing  the  pastures 
to  fail  in  the  field,  and  the  corn  to  languish  in 
the  valley  ?  Has  he  not  occasionally  ''  smitten 
us  with  blasting^-  and  mildew  ?  Has  he  not 
sent  among  us  again  and  again  the  pestilencet 
after  the  manner  of  Egypt  ?"  And  is  not 
the  accusation,  which  was  brought  against 
Israel,  at  least  as  applicable  to  us,  '*  yet  have 
ye  not  returned  unto  me,  ^^saith  the  Lord  ?" 
Where  is  there  any  evidence  that  either  our 
mercies  or  our  judgments  have  proved  effec- 
tual for  reclaiming  or  reforming  us  ?  Are  the 
living  oracles  more  generally  read, or  revered? 
Is  the  sanctuary  attended  noiv  by  those  who 
formerly  lived  in  the  neglect  of  its  ordiPiances  ? 

*  In  the  summer  of  \  SO 2,  Just  as  i he  fields  began 
to  whiten  far  the  harvest,  a  tnildcd) peivaded  the  nvr- 
ihtrn  and  western  paits  of  this  slate,  and  blasted  in 
Its  course  t-jLO  thirds^  perhaps  t hi  ee  fourths  qj  th^ 
wheat,  the  staple  commodity  (f  this  country. 

t  Sot  to  mention  those  malignant^  mortal  epidem- 
ics, which  have  fearfully  scourged  our  principal  cities, 
the  injiuenza,  a  species  of  pesttUnce,  has  repeatedly 
ta/cea  its  course  through  almost  every  state  in  t lie. 
Union.  So  generally  did  it  prevail  in  the  auUnnn  of 
1807,  that  scarcely  a  family  in  this  toivn  escaped  it  : 
and  on  a  particular  sabbath,  through  the  abnost  uni- 
versal indispontion  oj  ministers  and  people,  vjrious 
churches  vi\Te  laid  desolate. 

2  h2 


378  Sermon  15. 

Are  the  praises  of  God  resounding  now  in 
houses  where  that  celestial  melody  was  form- 
erly unheard  ?  Is  the  holy  sabbath  more  con- 
scientiously sanctified  through  our  land,  or 
does  the  power  of  Godliness  shine  more  il- 
lustrious in  the  lives  of  those  who  possess  the 
form  ?  Is  the  charge  of  pride,  extravagance, 
injustice  between  man  and  man,  and  ingrati- 
tude to  the  God  of  our  mercies  less  applica- 
ble now  than  in  years  that  are  past  ?  Naj^ 
has  not  the  tide  of  our  impiety  and  profligacy 
risen  with  the  tide  of  our  prosperity,  and 
when  the  divine  hand  has  been  stretched  out 
for  our  correction  *'  we  have  not  seen  it," 
neither  have  we  trembled  under  the  displays 
**  of  the  majesty  of  the  Lord."  Is  such  the 
fact,  beloved  brethren,  then  I  cannot  addresa 
you  in  language  more  appropriate  than  the 
admonition  of  the  prophet  to  his  nation  *'  pre- 
pare to  meet  thy  God,  O  Israel." 

The  people  to  whom  the  warning  is  di- 
rected are  Israel,  the  visible  church  of  God. 
The  fire  of  divine  jealousy  bums  peculiarly 
awful  around  his  altar  :  There  the  light  shines 
most  clear  ;  there  the  voice  of  admonition  is 
most  frequently  heard;  Mertf  the  privileges  are 
juost  exalted,  and  consequently  there  the  con- 
sumption determined  usually  commences  its 
carter. — Those  who  rank  first  in  point  of  pri- 
vilege  are  ordinarily  mc.de  the  first  and  most 
fearful  monuments  of  divine  indignation. 
*'  Judgment  must  begin  at  the  house  of  God." 
RfbclHon  in  a  son  h  both  more  unnatural  and 


Sermon  15.  573^ 

iiiexciiseable,  than  in  a  servant :  Our  abhor- 
rence is  much    more    excited   by  an  act  of 
treachery  in  a  pretended  friend,  than  in  the  o- 
pen,  avowed  enemy  ;   upon  the  same   princi- 
ple the  crimes  of  a  professing  people  are  most 
offensive  to  God,   and  expose  to  the  severest 
marks  of  his   displeasure.     *'  You  only  have 
1  known  of  all  the  f-imiiies  of  the  earth  ;  I  will 
therefore  punish    you    for   vour    iniquities.'^ 
The  history  of  the  world  fully    confirms   the 
truth  of  these    denunciations. — Those  very 
parts  of  the  earth  which  v/ere  long,  and  singu^ 
larly  favored  with  a  pure  dispensation  of  the 
gospel,  have  been  afterwards  as  singularly  the 
seat  of  judgments,    both  temporal  and  spiri- 
tu-il.     'l\irn  your  eyes  for  a  moment  to  Jeru- 
salem, once    the  most  distinguished  spot    of 
the    earth ;   that    city  where    the   temple  was 
erected  ;    where  the  living  oracles  were  pro- 
claimed ;   where  the  m.orning  and  evening  sa- 
crifice, this  lively  pledge  of  our  Great  Propi- 
tiation,  was  offeied  up  ;  where  the  incense  a- 
rose  in  sacred  columns  from  the  censer  of  Aa- 
ron the  type  of   '*  ih*   high  prii-st  of  our  pro- 
fession ;'    where  the  ministry  of  our  Lord  was 
chiefty    accomplished  ;     where    miracles   the 
most  sublime  were  frequently  wrought  by  his 
hands,  and  ceies.ial  truth  flowed  from  his  lips  : 
Behold  also  Corinth,*  Sardis,  Smyrna,  and 

*  .-^  modern  traveller  represents^  in  a  most  ufftcU 
ing  h^ht^  these  once  distiiii^iushed parts  of  the  ivui Id* 
SarUiSt  accoiding  to  his  account,  "  was  ovti  ihrown 
h};  a  r/icst  Urribk  mrihquakcy  and  is  now  on/j/  a  poor 


o80  Sermon   15, 


Thyatirn,  cities  where  flourishing  church- 
es were  earh^  planted  by  the  Evangelists  and 
Apostles  of  our  Lord.  How  has  their  exter- 
nal importance  sunk,  and  their  spiritual  glory 
departed?  Justin  proportion  as  evangelic  light 
formerly  shone  clear  around,  a  cloud  dark 
and  impenetrable  envelopes  them,  and  the 
wretched  inhabitants  are  debased  by  ignor- 
r.nce,  and  superstition,  and  every  species  of 
aboniination. 

This  verse  thus  explained,  presents  to  our 
consideration, 

I.  A  solemn  event,  a  uieeting  with  our  God ; 
and 

II;  Our  duty  in  the  prospect  of  this  event, 
*' prepare  to  meet  thy  God." 

Each  individual  of  the  human  kind  must 
meet  Jehovah  at  death  :  The  iui mortal  spirit^ 
immediately  after  its  separation  from  the  bo- 
dy, is  summoned  to  the  tribunal  of  its  judge  ; 
then  it  is  called  to  render  a  solem.n  account  of 
its  stewardship,  and  afterwards,  according  to 
its  works,  is  adjudged  to  an  unchanging  des- 
tiny,  either  of  glory  or  of  shame.  "  It  is  ap- 
pointed unto  ail  men  once  to  die,  and  after 

habitation  rf  shepherds^  living  in  tow  and  humble  cot- 
iages  :  /wzzi'^oevcr,^'  hetlfgunilyadds,  *'  the  ancient 
pitlais  and  ruins  lift  icp  tlietr  heads,  us  unxeilliiig  to 
lose  the  memory  of  their foimer  glory  ;"  and  Coiinth 
"which  the  Roman  orator  pronounced  **  lumen  toiius 
Cfraciie^"^  theli^ht  of  all  Greece^  was  burnt  to  ashes 
Jot  its  insolence  to  the  legates  of  Home.  —  See  Cal- 
met's  Die.  on  Jt-r.  and  Wlll's  Geog.  of  the  Old 
and  New  Test.  v.  ii.  259,  60.  275,  6. 


Sermon  15.  581 

death  tlie  judgment  :''  Again,  **  we  must  all 
appear  belbre  the  judgment  seat  of  Christ, 
that  every  one  may  receive  according  to  the 
things  done  in  his  body,  whether  they  be  good 
or  evil.  ' 

All  mankind  collectively  must  meet  Jeho- 
vah in  the  hour  of  general  retribution.  **  The 
Lord  God  hath  appointed  a  day,  in  the  which 
he  will  judge  the  world  in  righteousness,  by 
that  man  whom  he  hath  ordained.  *  The 
trump  of  the  archangel  shall  sound  ;  the  great 
white  throne  shall  be  erected  :  the  sign  of  the 
son  of  man  shall  appear  ;  the  judge  shall  de- 
scend ;  all  the  living  shall  be  instantly  chan- 
ged, and  all  the  dead  arise  ;  then  the  kindreds 
of  the  naiions  shall  flock  to  the  judgment  seat 
of  their  common  Lord,  ajid  receive  one  geiv- 
eral  irreversible  sentence,  ''  When  the  Son  of 
-tnan  shall  come  in  his  glory,  and  all  the  holy 
angels  with  him,  then  shall  he  sit  upon  the 
throne  of  his  glory  ;  and  before  him  shall  be 
gathered  all  nations,  and  he  shall  separate 
them  the  one  from  the  other  :"  the  deeds  done 
in  the  present  life  must  then  undergo  a  review 
the  mos>t  minute,  the  most  impartial,  and  the 
countless  myriads  of  the  human  family  l>e  a- 
warded  to  everlasting  life,  or  everlasting  per- 
dition. 

But  the  meeting  with  God  io  which  the  pro- 
phet alludes,  and  for  which  he  admonishes 
Israel  to  prepare^  is  an  event  materially  dif- 
ferent ;  it  belongs  to  particular  communities, 
or  nations,    in    their   public    social  capacity. 


SS2  Sermon  15. 

There  are  periods  of  national  retribution,  no 
]es3  than  of  personal  retribution  :  periods  wh^n 
the  adorable  Ruler  of  the  universe  rises  from 
his  throne,  and  comes  forth  to  reckon  with 
the  inhabitants  of  a  country  ;  when  he  takes 
a  review  of  all  the  privileges  bestowed  upon 
them  /  of  all  the  deliverances  wrought  from 
time  to  time  in  their  behalf  ;  of  the  duration 
of  their  national  peace  ;  of  the  degree  of  their 
national  prosperity,  and  then  chastises  them 
for  the  abuse  of  their  privileges.  *'  Hear,  all 
ye  people  ;  hearken,  O  earth  and  all  that  there- 
in is  :  For  behold  the  Lord  Cometh  forth  out 
of  his  place,  and  will  come  and  tread  on  the 
high  places  of  the  earth  :  For  the  transgres- 
sion of  Jacob  is  all  this,  and  for  the  iniquity  of 
the  house  of  Israel." 

The  dealings  of  a  sovereign  God  toward 
individuals  and  nations  obviously  correspond. 
He  spares  the  particular  person  notwithstand- 
ing numerous  provocations  ;  he  affords  him 
the  means  of  repentance,  and  the  offers  of 
life  ;  he  alternately  alarms  and  allures  ;  he 
tries  him  7iow  with  mercies,  t/ien  with  judg- 
ments, before  he  gives  commission  to  cut  him 
off'ds  utterly  incorrigible  :  And  such  also  is 
his  conduct  toward  nations  in  general.  He 
admonishes  them  for  their  impiety  ;"  he  fore- 
warns them  7301V  bv  his  messengers,  again  by 
the  movements  of  his  providence  of  calamities 
that  are  approaching  ;  he  executes  one  threat- 
ening as  a  mean  of  au^akenining  them  to  re- 
pentance, and  saving  them  from  other  aiidse- 


Seimtin  15.  3^3 

vei-ef  scourges  :  He  thus  entreated  With  the 
old  world  ox\t  hundred  and  twenty  years  by 
the  ministry  of  Koah  ;  he  thus  improved  the 
cities  of  the  plain  by  Lot  as  his  messenger,  be- 
fore he  turned  them  into  ashes,  making  them 
public  monuments  of  his  vengeance.  With 
what  long-suffering  did  he  expostulate  with 
the  nation  of  the  Jews  before  he  finally  mark- 
ed  them  out  as  *'  the  people  of  his  wrath  ? 
How  shall  I  give  thee  up,  Ephraim  ?  How 
shall  I  deliver  thee,  Israel  ?  How  shall  I  make 
thee  as  Admah  ?  How  shall  I  set  thee  as  Ze- 
boim  ?  Mv  heart  is  turned  within  me  :  my 
repentings'are  kindled  together."  And  upon 
their  partial  reformation  in  the  days  of  Samu- 
el,  of  Asa,  and  of  Josiah  he  immediately  sus- 
pended  the  execution  of  his  judgments,  and 
wrought  salvation  in  their  behalf. 

When  an  individual  wilfully  closes  his  eyes 
against  the  light  of  the  gospel ;  when  he  shuts 
his  ears  against  its  pointed  and  repeated  ad- 
monitions ;  when  he  tramples  with  deliberate 
hardihood  on  mercies  and  judgments  Jehovah 
in  awful  sovereignty  leaves  him  to  his  own  de- 
lusions ;  he  ceases  to  reprove  him  either  by 
his  word,  or  spirit,  or  providence  ;  and  pro- 
nounces him  a  *'  vessel  of  wrath  fitted  for  des- 
truction :  *  His  condition  then  becomes  utter- 
ly and  everlastingly  desperate  :  All  his  pray- 
ers, all  his  tears,  all  his  remorse  for  past  trans- 
gressions, or  resolutions  of  amendment  in  fu- 
ture are  unavailing.  ''  He  that  being  often 
reproved  and  hardeneth  his  neck,  shall  sud- 


364  Sermon  15. 

denly  be  destroyed  and  that  without  remedy," 
As  it  is  with  individiuils,  it  is  also  with  na- 
tions. They  have  their  accepted  time,  and, 
if  the  expression  he  allowed,  their  day  of  po- 
litical salvation  :  But  if  this  be  misimproved  ; 
if  they  fill  up  their  cup  of  iniquity  by  ingrati- 
tude for  national  mercies,  and  by  a  spirit  of 
slumber  and  impenitence  amidst  the  scourges 
of  his  providence,  the  Lord  God  abandons 
them  as  altogether  incorrigible,  and  irreversi- 
bly decrees  their  consumption  :  All  the  inter- 
cessions of  righteous  individuals,  and  even  a 
general  reformation  will  be  unavailing  for  the 
removal  of  divine  vengeance  :  Though  Noah, 
and  Daniel,  and  Job  should  interpose  and  sup- 
plicate, spare  thy  people,  their  prayers  may 
rest  in  blessings  upon  their  own  heads,  but 
will  not  stay  the  hand  that  is  stretched  out  for 
correcting  the  nation.  The  sovereign  Ruler 
of  the  world  either  pours  upon  them  a  spirit 
of  discord  and  confusion,  making  one  part  of 
the  community  the  instrument  of  destruction 
to  the  other,  or  he  surrenders  them  up  an  ea- 
sy prey  to  some  foreign  foe.  What  an  ex- 
ample of  his  vengeance  against  the  disobedi- 
ent, incorrigible  nation  do  we  behold  in  the  fi- 
nal overthrow  of  the  Jews  and  their  city.  *'  O 
Jerusalem,  Jerusalem,  thou  that  killest  the 
prophets  and  stonest  them  that  are  sent  unto 
thee,  how  often  would  I  have  gathered  thy 
children  together,  as  a  hen  gathereth  her  chick- 
ens under  her  wings,  and  ye  would  not  :  Be- 
hold your  house  is  left  unto  you  desolate.     If 


Sermon  15.  535 

tlioa  hadst  known,  even  thou  at  least  in  tliis 
thy  day  the  things  which  belong  to  thy  peace, 
but  now  they  are  hid  from  thine  eyes." 

Is  there  not  reason  to  apprehend  that  such 
a  meeting  with  our  God  is  awaiting  us  as  a  na- 
tion ;  that  it  is  near  at  hand  ?  The  signs  of 
the  times  are  peculiarly  ominous  and  deserve 
the  attention  of  all:  **  The  Lord  God  has 
come  out  of  his  place,  and''  in  a  manner  unu- 
sually awful  ''  is  punishing  the  inhabitants  of 
the  earth.'*  With  our  own  eyes  we  have  be- 
held him  shaking  all  nations  ;  we  have  seen 
the  sword  of  war  unsheathed  in  almost  every 
part  of  the  globe  ;  we  have  seen  her  crimson 
flag  unfurled  by  land,  and  on  the  ocean  ;  the 
earth  has  been  reddened,  and  the  very  waters 
of  the  deep  have  been  tinged  with  the  blood* 
of  the  slain  ;  we  have  seen  the  most  ancient 
and  stately  empires  shook  to  their  center  ; 
crowns  tottering  on  the  heads  of  princes  ; 
princes  hurled  from  their  thrones,  and  princes 
and  peasants  mingled  in  promiscuous  ruin. 
**  Nation  has  been  rising  up  against  nation, 
and  the  Lord  of  hosts  has  mustered  the  hosts 
of  the  battle."  Hitherto,  through  his  tender 
mercies,  we  have  escaped  the  all  devouring 
vortex  ;  our  peace,  with  a  few  inconsiderable 

*  The  batiks  of  Marengo  mid  Jena  by  land^  ami 
the  naval  engagements  at  the  Nile,  in  the  Channel^ 
and  at  Trafalgar,  xvhether  we  regard  the  obstinacy 
with  which  they  were  fought  or  the  numbers  that  were 
slain,  probably  stand  without  a  parallel  either  in  aih- 
cieni  or  modern  history. 

2  I 


586  Sermon  15. 

exceptions,  has  been  uninterrupted,  and  our 
immunities  as  an  independant  nation  have 
been  uninfringed.  But  the  period  of  our  pub- 
lic tranquility,  we  have  reason  to  apprehend, 
has  nearly  expired.  Are  not  our  natural 
rights  at  present  wantonly  violated,  and  our 
commerce  invaded  ;  has  not  the  property  of 
our  citizens  been  violently  wrested  from  their 
possession  on  the  high  seas,  and  sold  at  fo- 
reign markets,  and  their  persons  laid  in  chains, 
and  doomed  to  languish  in  cheerless  dun, 
geons  :  Every  eRbrt  used  for  the  restoration 
of  our  neutral  rights,  and  the  redress  of  our 
grievances  has  hitherto  failed,  and  the  cloud 
is  daily  spreading  and  blackening  over  our 
heads. 

Amidst  these  dangers  from  abroad,  how 
humiliating  is  our  situation  at  home  ?  Instead 
of  harmony  in  concerting  measures  for  our 
national  defence,  is  there  not  universal  distrust 
and  distraction  ?  No  longer  rallying  around 
one  centre,  and  blending  ourselves  in  the 
common  name  of  A?/JERICANS,  are  we  not 
assuming  difterent  names,  and  flocking  to  dif- 
ferent standards,  as  if  we  neither  regarded 
each  other  as  children  of  the  same  family,  nor 
members  of  the  same  community  ?  Does  not 
a  spirit  of  discord  pervade  from  New-Hamp- 
shire  to  Georgia  ?  Have  not  the  diflferent  par- 
ties become  so  intoilerant,  and  infuriated, 
that  seemingly  they  want  only  an  opportunity 
to  rise  up  in  open  hostilities  ?  And  remem- 
ber, of  all  wars,  that  of  citizen  against  cilizen 


Sermon   15.  387 

is  tiie  most  to  be  deplored  :  This  flame  when 
once  kindled  is  the  most  inextinguishable  in 
its  nature,  and  the  most  wasteful  in  its  pro- 
gress :  It  is  like  a  torch  in  a  sheaf,  and  usual- 
ly consumes  a  nation  both  root  and  branch. 
O  my  country  !  unless  the  Lord  of  hosts  spee- 
dily interpose  in  thy  behalf ;  luiless  he  restore 
mutual  confidence  among  thy  sons,  and  har- 
mony to  thv  public  councils,  AN  END, 
THINE  END  MUST  COME  :  *'  The 
sword  without,  and  terror  and  confusion  with- 
in must  destroy  thee." 

Is  such  our  situation,  and  are  such  our  ap- 
prehensions, then  the  enquiry  must  appear  e- 
qually  appropriate  and  important,  how  shall 
we  "  prepare  for  meeting  with  our  God  ?'* 

This  was  our  second  proposition,  and  to  it 
your  attention  is  now  invited. 

1.  All  should  prepare  for  this  event,  by 
ficeing  without  delay  to  Jesus- Jehovah  as  their 
city  of  refuge.  He  is  a  **  hiding  place  from 
every  storm,  and  a  covert  from  the  tempest  j'' 
sheltered  beneath  this  rock  by  a  living  faith  ; 
having  our  consciences  sprinkled  with  his  a- 
toning  blood,  and  our  souls  adorned  with  his 
immaculate  righteousness,  we  may  sit  secure 
when  the  cloud  has  actually  bursted,  and  the 
storm  is  exhausting  its  fury.  The  believer, 
with  the  lively  exercise  of  all  his  graces,  is  like 
a  rock  in  the  midst  of  the  ocean,  unmoved, 
immoveable  by  all  the  dashing  of  either  wind 
or  wave  ;  But,  **  where,  ah,  where  will  the 
ungodly  and  the  sinner  appear,'^  when  the 


583  Sermon  15'. 

ivrath  of  Almighty  God  *'  has  gone  forth  ;" 
when  it  *'  consumes  the  earth  with  her  in- 
crease ;  when  it  sets  on  fire  the  foundations  of 
the  mountains,  and  burns  to  the  lowest  hell  ? 
Where,  ah,  where  will  appear"  the  empty 
professor  ;  the  man  who  possesses  merely  the 
jiiask  of  Christianity,  and  is  an  utter  stranger 
to  its  power,  "  where  will  he  appear"  when 
the  Lord  God  in  his  jealousy  *'  wiil  search 
Jerusalem  as  with  lighted  candles,  and  punish 
the  men  that  are  settled  on  their  lees  r  that 
say  in  their  hearts,  the  Lord  will  not  do  good, 
neither  will  he  do  evil.  Where,  ah,  where 
will  then  appear"  the  gay,  the  thoughtless, 
w\inton  youth  ;  *Uhose  who  put  far  away  the 
evil  day  ;  who  crown  themselves  v.ldi  rose 
buds  ;  v/ho  chant  to  the  sound  of  the  viol," 
and  remain  deaf  to  all  the  entreaties  of  friends, 
and  parents,  and  ministers,  *'  where  will  they 
flee  for  help,  v/here  will  they  leave  their  glo- 
ry," w^hen  the  whirlwind  of  divine  wrath  shall 
sweep  terribly  the  earth  ;  **  when  the  fierce 
anger  of  the  Lord  shall  come  upon  them,  when 
the  day  of  the  Lord's  anger  shall  come  upon 
them  ?"  To  all  such  every  temporal  scourge 
is  only  a  pledge  of  that  hour  **  when  the  Son 
of  man  shall  be  revealed  from  heaven  in  fla- 
ming fire, and  the  worldand  the  things  that  are 
therein  shall  be  dissolved.''  But  they  who 
iire  reconciled  to  God  by  the  blood  of  the  In- 
finite Surety,  are  secured,  infallibly  secured 
from  aveng'ing  wrath,  and  therefore  may  sit 
wnrufHed  amidst  all  the  agitations  of  the  world. 


Ser?non  15.  389 

«'  Bein^  justifiecl  by  faith  they  have  peace 
with  God,  and  if  God  be  for  them  who  can 
be  against  them  ?"  With  his  wisdom  to  di- 
rect ;  his  omnipotence  to  defend  ;  his  all- suf- 
ficiency to  supply,  and  his  mercy  to  sympa- 
thise, they  enjoy  *'  a  peace  which  passeth  un- 
derstanding'' amidst  every  outward  storm. 

2.  We  ought  to  prepare  *'  for  meeting  our 
God"  by  walking  circumspectly  and  ''  keep- 
ing our  garments  unspotted  from  every  pollu- 
tion." Upon  all  occasions  it  is  our  duty  to 
**  be  sober  and  vigilant  ;  to  keep  our  hearts 
with  all  diligence  ;  to  walk  worthy  of  him 
who  is  calling  us  to  glory  and  virtue,'  but 
this  is  pre-eminently  our  duty  and  our  inter- 
est in  the  hour  of  impending  judgment.  True 
it  is,  there  is  nothing  meritorious  in  the  ser- 
vices of  the  creature  ;  our  most  perfect  per-- 
formances  fidl  intinitely  short  of  the  pure  law 
of  Jehovah;  yet  the  reflection  that  we  have 
walked  circumspect li/  before  him ;  that  we 
have  not  willingly  deviated  froni  *'  the  paths 
of  righteousness  to  the  right  hand  or  to  the 
left,"  inspires  with  coniidence  and  joy  when 
his  rod  is  stretched  out  to  scourge  a  nation 
and  we  must  participate  in  the  common  calam- 
ity. While  conscious  guilt  then  stands  ap- 
palled ;  while  it  startles  *'  at  the  shaking  of 
every  leaf,  the  righteous  is  bold  as  a  lion  ;" 
looking  for  protection  to  that  God  whom  he 
has  served  ;  to  whose  glory  his  life  has  been 
honestly  devoted,  he  bids  defiance  to  all  exter- 
nal danger  j  he  considers  that  all  the  aSic- 
2  I  -2 


390  Sermon  15. 

tions  of  time    are    short  and  inconsiderable 
when  compared  with  the  glories  of  eternity  ; 
he  contemplates  death  itself  as  stripped  of  e- 
very   terror,  and  no   more  than  a  dark   entry 
to  the  regions  of  unclouded,  everlasting  day. 
With   what  consolation    in  the  depth  of  dis- 
tress ;  with  what  holy  heroism  in  danger,  did 
a  consciousness  of  their  integrity  inspire  th.e 
three  Israelites  in  Babylon  ;  it   extinguished 
in  their  bosoms  every  impulse  of  fear  ;   it  ena- 
bled them  to  behold  undismayed  the  majesty 
of  the  princely  throne,  and  the  horrors  of  "  the 
fiery  furnace  :   O  Nebuchadnezar,  we  are  not 
careful  to  answer  thee  in  this  matter  :   If  it  be 
so,  if  we  must  resist  even  unto  blood  in  ad- 
hering to  our  religion   and  our  God  ;  if  our 
'  tortures  are  even  aggravated  by  'a  furnace  se- 
vejijbld  hotter  tlmn  usual,  rue  are  not  alarmed 
at  the  prospect,  nor  anxious  about  the  issue  ; 
our  God    whom  we  serve  is  able  to  deliv.  r 
from  this  burning,  fiery  furnace  ;   and  he  will 
deliver  us  out  of  thine  hand,  O  King.'' 

3.  We  ought  to  prepare  *'  for  meeting  our 
God'  by  avv^aking  to  greater  diiigenr.e  in 
the  discharge  of  every  duty,  and  '*  abounding 
more  eminently  in  the  work  of  the  Lord.'' 
When  the  tumult  of  war  is  heard,  and  the 
enemy  appears  in  view,  the  prudent  soldier 
instantly  arises  ;  he  collects  his  armor  ;  he 
fastens  every  part  of  it  in  its  proper  place  ;  he 
arranges  himself  in  order  for  battle,  and  thus 
stands  ready  every  moment  for  the  arduous 
onset ;  when  a  storm  is  expected  on  the  ocean; 


Sermon  1j.  391 

when  the   clouds  collect  and  blacken  ;  when 
the  distant  thunder  is  heard  and  the  lightnings 
begin  to  blaze  around,  the   vigilant  mariner 
takes  the  alarm,  and  makes  the  requisite  pre- 
paration.    Such  should  be  the  christians  con- 
duct when  the  judgments  of  Almighty   God 
are  commissioned  to  pass  through  a  nation. 
Of  whatever  kind  the  calamity  be,  *'  whether 
war,  or  famine,  nr  pestilence  i"  on  whatever 
that  he  esteems  precious  the  assault  may  be 
made,  whether  on  his  liberty,  or  religion,  or 
life,  he  should  aim  at  standing  prepared  ;  at 
shaking  off  his  spiritual  sloth  ;   **  at  having  his 
lamp'    carefully    trimmed    and,    repleaished 
with  oil    from    Jesus   Jehovah   *'  the  anoint- 
ed one,"  burning  with  the  purest  flame  ;  he 
ought  to   become   more   fervent  in  prayer  ; 
more  edifs  ing  in  his  conversation  ;  more  sin- 
cere  in  repentance  for  his  own  iniquities,  and 
the  iniquities   of  the  nation  with  v/hich  he  is 
connected  ;   more  abundant  in  all  the  duties 
which  are  incumbent  upon  him  as  a  man  and 
a  christian.     Tiiia  i6  the  best  possible  prepa- 
ration for  all   the  calamities  of  life.     To  all 
such   the    Lord   God    will   become  a   **  little 
sanctuary  '  when  the  sword  of  his  vengeance 
is  drawn,  and   his    wrath  consumes   a  guilty 
land.     The  angel  spreads  his  pavilion  around 
the  pious  Lot,  *'  when  the  cities  of  the  plain 
are  turned  into  ashes  ;"  the  houses  of  the  Is- 
raelites were  passed  over  without  injury,  when 
*'  the  first  born  '  was  slain  in  every  family  of 
the  Egyptians,  and  the  minister  of  justice  ne- 


392  Sermon  15. 

ver  disclosed  his  commission  against  Jerusa- 
lem, "  until  a  mark  was  sf  t  upon  the  forehead 
of  the  men  that  sighed  and  cried  for  all  the  a- 
bominations  that  were  done  in  the  midst  of  the 
land.  *  The  providence  of  God  has  even  mi- 
raculously interposed  for  the  protection  of  his 
faithful  followers  ;  he  has  proved  a  w^all  of 
fire  around  the  individual,  the  families,  and 
the  settlements  that  liave  cleaved  to  him  in 
the  hour  of  general  apostacy. 

The  application  suitable  for  this  subject 
will  be  readily  sug-gestcd  by  your  own  minds, 

1.  Let  all  })e  exhorted  to  improve  their  dis- 
tinguishing privileges  while  they  are  yet  en- 
joved.  You  have  long  sat  undisturbed  under 
the  means  of  salvation  ;  ihe  heavenly  manna 
has  bL^en  descending  in  showers  aro  ind  your 
tents  and  you  huve  been  entreated  again  and 
again  to  partake  this  divine  provinon  ;  the  ri- 
ver of  life  has  been  rolling  plenieously  around 
you  its  refreshing  waters,  and  you  have  been' 
uro:ed  again  and  again  to  dr-^w  near  and  **  drink 
and  live  for  ever.  '  Whether  these  golden' 
oppoitunlties  vrlil  be  long  continued  is  alto- 
gether uncertaii>  ;  it  depends  on  the  mere  so- 
vereignty of  Jehovah  :  I  would  therefore  most 
solemnly  admonish  yoa  to  **  walk  in  the  light 
Vv'hile  }  ou  have  it  :  Give  glory  to  the  Lo.  d 
your  God,  lest  he  ca\ise  darkness,  and  before 
your  ftet  stumble  on  the  dark  mountains  :' 
Let  the  drurikard  abandon  his  cups  ;  let  the 
swearer  cease  from  his  impious  oaths  ;  **  let 
him  that  stgk  steul  no  jiiorcj  but  render  to  all- 


Sermon  15.  o9S 

their   due  ;"    let  those    who  have    indulged 
themselves  in  seasual  gratificalions  ''  crucify 
the  flesh  with  its  affections  and  hists  ;'    let  the 
covetous  remember   *'  that  neither  their  gold 
nor  their  silver  will  deliver  them  iu  the  day  of 
the  Lord's  anger;"  let  every  prayerless  person 
awake  from  his  unconcern,  and  '*  arise  calling 
upon  his  God  i  let  those  who  have  wasted  the 
precious  sabbath  in  idleness,  or   ivorldly  em-^ 
plovments   hereafter  **  keep  holy  that  day  to 
the' Lord  our  God  by  not   finding  their  own 
pleasure,  nor  speaking  their  own  words  ;*'  let 
the   secure,    impenitent  hearers    *'  break  off 
their  sins  by  righteousness,   and  their  iniqui- 
ties by  turning  to  the  Lord. '     Are  there  any 
present  who,  "through  the  cares  of  this  world, 
or  the  deceitfulness  of  riches,"  or  the'^influence 
of  ungodly    associates,  ^'  have  departed  from 
the  holy  commandment,''  and  thrown  off  their 
christian  profession,  let  them   be  impressed 
with  the  danger  of  their  situation,  and  return 
in  the  exercise  of  repentance   to  the  Living 
God  :  let  the  vain  and  the  thoughtless  youth 
"  remember  their  Creator,  lest  they  mourn  at 
the  last  when  their   flesh  and  their  body   are 
consumed, saying, how  have  we  hated  instruc- 
tion and  our  hearts  despised  reproof  V*  By 
all  that  is  dreadful  in  the  wrath  of  Almighty 
God,  by  all  that  is  desirable   in  his  loving 
kindness  1  exhort  sinners  of  every   age,  and 
condition  to  turn  this  day  "  to  the  strong  holds 
while  they  are  prisoners  of  hope.     The  door 
of  the  city  of  refuge"  is  now  open,  and  Jeho- 


504,  Sermon  15. 

vah  Triune,  Father,  Son  and  Holy  Ghost  are 
inviting  you  to  enter  in.      *'  I'he  door  of  the 
city  of  refuge  '  is  now  open,   and  all  the  re- 
deemed  on   earth,    and   all  the   redeemed  in 
heaven,    and  all    the  angels  of  light  will  hail 
^vith  transports  of  joy  your  entrance,  and  your 
escape  *'from  the  avenger  of  blood."    Hasten, 
hasten  to  Jesus  Christ,  to  liis  sacrifice,  to  his 
righteousness  as  your  only  security  from  "  the 
wrath  that  is  to  come.''     The   Lord  God  of 
gods  in  whose  presence  I  now  stand,  **  whom 
I  serve  in  the   gospel  of  his  Son''    bears  me 
witness  that  I  have  aimed  on  this  day  of  hu- 
miliation *'  at  espousing  you  all  to  one  hus- 
band," and  thus  *'  preparing  you  to  meet  your 
God  ;  to   meet    him"  now  as  he  is  coming 
forth  to  avenge  his  quarrel  with  our  country  ; 
to  meet  him  hereafter  in  the  hour  of  final,  irre- 
versible  retribution.      "  But  if  ye    will   not 
hear  it,  my   soul   shall  weep  in  secret  places 
for  your  pride,  and  mine  eye  shall  weep  sore 
and  run  down  with  tears,  because  tlie  Lord's 
liock  is  carried  av/ay  captive." 

2.  Be  exhorted  "  to  live  at  peace  among 
yourselves,  and  whatsoever  ye  do,  whether  in 
v/ord  or  in  deed,  do  all  in  the  name  of  our 
Lord  Jesus  Christ.'  Let  the  Saviour's  cross 
be  the  only  point  around  which  you  rally  in 
all  your  deliberations,  whether  civil  or  reli- 
gious ;  let  it  never  be  mentioned  to  the  re- 
proach of  the  clu'istian  name  ;  "  let  it  not  be 
told  in  Gath,  let  it  not  be  heard  in  the  streets 
of  Askelon''  that  an  avowed   enemy   of  the 


Sermon  15.  395 

dear  Redeemer,  who  coincides  with  you  in 
political   sentiment,    should    lie  nearer  your 
hearts  ;  should  possess  a  greater,  or  an  equal 
share  in  your  confidence  and  affection  with  a 
brother  in  grace,  whose  political  views  may  be 
different  from  your  own  :   And  I  am  bold  to 
affirm  that  while  you  live  habitually  '^  on  the 
Son  of  God  ;   while  you  daily  derive  from  him 
that   ''  wisdom  which  is  pure,  and  peaceable, 
and  gentle,  and  easy  to  be  entreated,"  all  your 
diversitv  of  sentiment  respecting  public  mea- 
sures'vvill  not  alienate  your  hearts  from  each 
other.     This  sacred  unction  will  excite  to  the 
exercise  of  mutual  forbearance   wherein  you 
differ.     A  varietv  of  political  opinions  must 
be   expected.     In  this   state  of   imperfection 
^'  where  we  sec  but  in  part,  and  know  but  in 
part  ;"  where  we   are  actuated    by   different 
motives,  and  look  through  different  mediums, 
it  is  rare   that  our   views  fully  harmonize  on 
any  subject  :  This  very  diversity  of  sentiment 
affords  a   greater  opportunity   for  exercising 
the  most  illustrious  graces,  "  charity,  patience 
and   forbearance.''     At  a  moment  so  critical 
to  our  own  country,  so  eventful  to  the  world 
in   general,    I  cannot  therefore  address  you 
more  suitably  than  in  the  language  of  Joseph 
to  his  brethren,  *'  see  that  ye  fall  not  out  by 
the  way.  '     Every  citizen  possesses  an  equal 
right  to  the  enjoyment  of  his  own  sentiments, 
and  in  this  free  government  he  has  liberty  to 
communicate  his  views  on   public  men,  and 
public  measures  :  but  let  this  freedom  be  al- 


396  Serman  15. 

ways  exercised  with  moderation  and  prudence* 
Liberty  of  speech,  when  used  with  discretion, 
proves  a  public  blessing,  but  when  indulged 
in  a  manner  intemperate  and  indiscreet,  it  be- 
comes a  political  cu  se      **  Finally,  brethren, 
be  perfect  ;  be  of  good  comfort  ;  be  of  one 
mind  ;  live  in  peace,  and  the  God  of  love  and 
peace    shall    be    with    you."     Should    those 
sparks  of  dissention,  which  are  already  kind- 
led in  every  part  of  the  community,  burst  in- 
to an  open  flame,  it  will  be  a  consolation  to  re- 
flect, in  the  general  calamity,  that  I  never  ad- 
ded fuel  to  the  fire  by  irritating  the  passions 
of  my  fellow- citizens. 

I  should  feel  chargeable  with  the  omission 
of  a  very  important  duty  did  1  conclude  these 
solemn  exercises  without  directing  your  at- 
tention to  t/ie  Signs  of  the  times.  A  cloud  is 
seemingly  collecting  over  the  church  and  the 
nations  more  gloomy  than  has  been  witnessed 
for  ages.  It  is  the  general  opinion  of  com- 
mentators,* who  have  made  prophecy  the 
subject  of  particular  investigation,  that  the 
two  witnesses  mentioned  in  scripture  are  yet 
to  be  slain,  and  that  the  religion  of  papal  Rome 
will  obtain  a  universal  diftusion  through  the 
earth.  The  remarks  of  a  learned  expositor,! 
who  appeared  in  the  last  century,  are  so  inte- 

*  jyie  calculations  of  expositors  both  ancient  and 
viodei iu  1  tlalnc  to  the  slaying  oj  the  wilnesseSy  have 
been  lately  exhibited  by  the  author,  at  considerable 
length.  III  t-wo  lectures^  uhich  he  designs  to  offer  to 
the  public. 

t  Dr.  Gill  in  a  sermon  deliiered  in  1750. 


Sermon  15.  397 

resting  that  you  must  readily  excuse  me  in 
quoting   them   at  large.     *'  The  light  of  the 
gospel  will  be  wholly  withdrawn  for  a  while  ; 
the    slaying  of  the  witnesses  is  yet  to  come  ; 
it  will  make  a  dismal  night,  and  be  accompa- 
nied with  the  universal    spread    of  popery." 
A  late  divine,*    in  the  church  of  Scotland, 
was   so  deeply  impressed  with  the  same  sen- 
timent, that  he  is  said  to  have  collected  eve- 
ry fragment  which  has  been  written  in  oppo- 
sition to  that  heresy,  and  circulated  it  among 
his  correspondents  in  different  countries.     Do 
not  the  present  appearances  of  the  world  ob- 
viously correspond  with  the  opinions  of  these 
commentators  ?   Probably   in    no    period   of 
time  did  the  anti-christian  religion  extend  its 
influence  more  rapidly  than  in  the  present.  It 
is  now    the  established    worship  of  France. 
There   is   a  decree  of  that  government,  that 
*'  no  church-book,  no  psalm  book,  nor  cate- 
chism shall  be  published  without  the  permis- 
sion of  the  bishop  of  the  diocese.''     It  is  vir- 
tually established  in  Holland  and  Switzerland, 
as  the  regulation  of  all  ecclesiastical  concern^ 
is  committed  to  their  sovereigns  who  are  pa- 
pists :   This  religion  has  recently  obtained  a 
rapid  spread  through   Germany,    and    other 
countries  adjacent  :   Bills,   at  different  times, 
have  been  brought  before   the  parliament  of 
Great- Britain  for  securing  to  the  votaries  of 
Antichrist  privileges  in  common  with  the  pro- 
testants.     If  wc   turn  our  eyes  from  Europe 
*  Dr.  John  Erskine. 

2    JK 


398  Sermon  15. 

to  our  own  country,  how  very  alarming  is  the 
prospect  ?  In  several  of  our  capital  cities  the 
churches,  professing  the  religion  of  Rome, 
are  more  flourishing  than  those  of  any  other 
communion.  When  we  add  to  these  the  o- 
pen  infidelity  of  some,  the  abject  ignorance 
and  utter  indifference  of  others,  there  is  little, 
humanly  speaking,  to  prevent  the  general 
spread  of  that  abumwatioii  through  our  coun- 
try. 

Amidst  these  realities  and  apprehensions 
our  duty  is  obvious.  Let  every  man  look  to 
his  own  interest,  by  ''  making  his  calling  and 
election  sure  :'  Let  every  parent  look  to  the 
dearest  interests  of  his  children,  **  by  bring- 
ing them  up  in  the  nurture  and  admonition 
of  the  Lord  ;"  let  him  consider  a  profound  e- 
ducalion  in  the  docrines  of  Christianity  as  the 
most  impenetrable  shield  against  the  assaults 
of  either  superstition  or  error  :  Let  every 
master  look  to  the  dearest  interests  of  those 
committed  to  his  charge,  by  recommending 
Jesus  and  his  salvation  as,  beyond  compari- 
son, their  most  enriching  portion  :  Let  every 
magistrate,  as  he  regards  his  peace  in  th^ 
hour  of  peril,  execute  with  unremitting  vigi- 
lance and  unshaken  fidelity,  the  duties  of  his 
office  :  **  Let  the  priests,  the  ministers  of  the 
Lord,"  awake  to  double  diligence  in  their  vo- 
cations ;  let  them  "  weep  between  the  porcli 
and  the  altar,  saying,  spare  thy  people,  O 
Lord,  and  give  not  thy  heritage  to  reproach.'* 
Beloved  in   the  Lord  Jesus   Christ,  *'  what 


Sermon  15/  395 

shall  I  say  more  ?"  To  i/ou  it  is  the  call  of  Je- 
hovah in  his  word  ;  it  is  his  call  by  the  very 
awful  movements  of  his  providence,  *'  come, 
my  people  ;  enter  thou  into  thy  chambers  ; 
hide  thyself  as  it  were  for  a  little  moment,  un- 
til the  indignation  be  overpast.  For,  behold, 
the  Lord  cometh  out  of  his  place  to  punish 
the  inhabitants  of  the  earth  for  their  iniquity  ; 
the  earth  also  shall  disclose  her  blood  and  no 
more  cover  her  slain." 

"  O  Lord,  thou  sittest  upon  the  floods,  thou 
sittest  King  forever,"  look  with  a  compassion- 
ate eye  on  our  guilty,  miserable  world,  and 
shorten  these  days  of  calamity  ;  proclaim  to 
every  scourge  that  has  desolated  our  earth, 
*'  it  is  enough,  stay  thine  hand  ;"  may  the 
thunder  of  war  expire  ;  may  the  sword  of 
slaughter  return  to  its  scabbard,  no  more  to 
be  bathed  in  the  blood  of  man  ;  let  not  na- 
tion any  longer  rise  up  as  the  destroyer  of  na- 
tion, but  may  the  peaceful  banner  of  Messi- 
ah wave  in  triumph  around  the  globe  ;  hasten 
the  period  when  creation  shall  become  one 
sanctuary,  and  men  of  all  kindreds  one  assem- 
bly, in  doing  homage  to  the  God  of  Israel. 
Amen,  €ve?t  so,  come,  Lord  Jesus. 


f^'■;^'" 


V 


I 


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